Immigrants in Massachusetts fear deportation for receiving COVID-19 vaccine

According to the testimony of several activist groups and immigration attorneys, there are hundreds of immigrants across Massachusetts who do not want to receive the COVID-19 vaccine for fear of deportation or because the current government could jeopardize their immigration status.

Groups involved in the case state that they have received many calls from immigrants who have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine and fear receiving the dose due to strict policies of the current administration of the US and mainly the “Public Charge Rule.”

Broadly speaking, this policy states that immigrants who use public benefits such as Medicaid or food stamps for more than 12 months, in a 36-month period, would be considered a “public charge” for the federal government and the local economic system, and their immigration applications could be rejected under this premise.

The public charge rule was inactive for most of 2020 due to the massive outbreak of Coronavirus in the North American territory. Immigrant communities feared that their legal permanent residence applications would be rejected under the premise of public charge for using medical services amid the health crisis.

However, despite the fact that this policy was inactive during the sanitary emergency, immigrants are still afraid to seek medical assistance or receive the COVID-19 vaccine because, in their opinion, the Trump administration could deport them at any time.

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Activist groups understand immigrants’ concerns

Activist groups and immigration attorneys involved in the case state that immigrants have valid reasons to fear receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

It is important to remember that the current administration of the US, led by President Donald Trump, has always wanted to restrict immigration and has used every tool at its disposal to curb illegal immigration and reduce legal immigration. The most vulnerable immigrant communities, including undocumented essential workers, have had to suffer the consequences of the Trump administration’s policies, which also increased deportations, both at the borders and within the country.

Therefore, according to the opinion of experts, it is understandable that they have constant fear of deportation and fear receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

However, if the federal government does not try to improve the local immigration system so that foreign workers can receive the vaccine, that could spark another massive outbreak of COVID-19 in the US, delay the process to overcome the current crisis and affect the American population.

In fact, one of the activists states that “It’s going to take a significant effort from public health officials and local governments to fill that trust gap so that immigrants can come forth for vaccination.”

Adding to that, they state that immigrants must understand that health professionals cannot, under any circumstances, share personal information with any federal entity during the vaccination program, that would be illegal and could face criminal prosecution. Therefore, public health officials must complete the vaccination session “free, simple, and no questions asked.”

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