A government watchdog found that the Department of Homeland Security placed employees and residents of border towns at higher risk of COVID-19 being infected by failing to properly screen migrants.
DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari wrote a memo last week to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, stating that the agency must improve its COVID-19 response to the southern border.
“DHS leadership must commit to strengthening these COVID-19 preventative measures. Without stronger measures in place, DHS is putting its workforce, support staff, communities, and migrants at greater risk for contracting the virus,” an IG report concluded.
“We acknowledge the difficulty balancing protective measures with the primary mission of securing the border. However, DHS must be prepared to meet the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as future pandemics.”
The Washington Examiner reported that the IG’s Office reviewed the manner in which federal law enforcement at South Border apprehended and detained migrants between March and May.
As the U.S.-Mexico Border crisis worsens, the IG report was released. In August, more than 208,000 illegal migrants were encountered. This is second only to July’s 213,534 in the last 21 years.
An employee of DHS tipped off investigators and filed a complaint through Office of Special Counsel.
The migrant surge has had an impact on Customs and Border Protection (CBP), holding facilities, and local organizations. They have been unable to keep up with the testing of people.
Agents of the Border Patrol are not required by law to conduct immigration checks. CBP instead relies on the local health departments, city resources and non-profit organizations to test migrants after they are released into cities along the southern border.
“The COVID-19 testing process for family units post-CBP custody is not effective because municipalities cannot force families to isolate for the required quarantine period,” the report said. “Extended time-in-custody of migrants leads to overcapacity and overcrowding at Border Patrol stations.”
CBP should follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for keeping people distant from each other.
“CBP is not able to maintain proper physical distancing in holding facilities due to the current number of migrants illegally entering the United States, and [Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s] and [the Department of Health and Human Services’] inability to rapidly take custody of migrants,” the report continued. “Migrants are constantly reminded of COVID-19 risk but choose not to social distance or wear provided masks.”
According to the Examiner, more than 11,000 CBP employees tested positive for COVID-19. 43 of these employees died, many of whom were located at the border.
