Graham Writes DHS Secretary On COVID Testing At Southern Border

Source: United States Senator for South Carolina Lindsey Graham

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today wrote to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas requesting information about COVID-19 testing protocols at the U.S.-Mexico border.

“During one of the greatest public health emergencies in recent history, and at a time when illegal crossings are nearing 1.2 million migrants this fiscal year alone, it’s important to understand whether migrants are receiving appropriate COVID-19 testing and screening upon apprehension,” wrote Graham.

In recent months, the Biden Administration has stopped applying Title 42 public health authority used to slow the spread of COVID-19 to unaccompanied children and anyone else the Administration considers exempt. Graham noted that Title 42 authority had assisted U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers in managing the overwhelming influx of migrants during the pandemic.

“Recession of this important public health tool, without other immigration reforms, will undoubtedly lead to an increase of migrants at the southern border at a time when our processing facilities are already full,” wrote Graham.

Graham also noted that he wrote to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), on the topic of COVID-19 rates at the southern border. Dr. Fauci stated that DHS would be the appropriate agency to respond to questions about testing procedures at the southern border.

Full text of the letter is below.

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July 26, 2021

The Honorable Alejandro N. Mayorkas

Secretary

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. 20528

Dear Secretary Mayorkas:

I write today to discuss my ongoing concerns about the humanitarian and public health crisis at the southern border. During one of the greatest public health emergencies in recent history, and at a time when illegal crossings are nearing 1.2 million migrants this fiscal year alone, it’s important to understand whether migrants are receiving appropriate COVID-19 testing and screening upon apprehension.

I am also concerned that the recent policy changes by the Biden administration are only making matters worse. Although we are seeing historic numbers of illegal crossings, the use of Title 42 authority to slow the spread of COVID-19 has assisted U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers in managing an overwhelming influx of migrants during the deadly pandemic. Recession of this important public health tool, without other immigration reforms, will undoubtedly lead to an increase of migrants at the southern border at a time when our processing facilities are already full.

These questions have been asked of Dr. Fauci as well. This year, I wrote to him twice on this topic. Yet, he has pointed me to your agency for answers. Therefore, I will ask you similar questions about the testing procedures at the southern border.

Are all migrants being tested for COVID-19 when they are apprehended by CBP officials?
If so, what are the testing procedures and policies for migrants?
What percentage of migrants test positive for COVID-19?
When you receive a positive test result, what are the policies for quarantining or providing care for the affected individual?
Finally, please provide the number of migrants who have been detained and then released into the United States since January 20, 2021.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and please do not hesitate to contact Katherine Nikas if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Lindsey O. Graham

United States Senator