Authorization for COVID Vaccines Could Stop Immigrant Workers from Entering the U.S.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s new COVID-19 vaccine mandate, effective January 22, is expected to severely restricting the travel of thousands of H-2A . seasonal workers This year.
The H-2A program allows agricultural employers to bring foreign workers to the United States for agricultural or service work on a temporary or seasonal basis.
DHS announced restrictions on January 20, requiring non-U.S. individuals attempting to enter the United States through ports of entry and ferry terminals at the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada border to be vaccinated. fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide relevant proof of immunization.
Although the vaccination requirements sound good in theory, according to Sarah Black, general manager of Great Lakes Ag Labor Services, an agricultural labor agency that focuses on H-2A seasonal visas In fact, the DHS mandate is problematic in several respects.
“Unlike previous COVID-related restrictions, this DHS requirement does not provide an exemption for ‘essential workers’ which traditionally includes guest workers employed on our farms. and throughout the food chain helping to get food to your table,” Black said, noting that some farm operations with workers are expected to begin arriving within the next two weeks.
In addition, the authorization requires proof of “CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccination, as outlined on the CDC’s website,” which means that guest staff will need an approved vaccine series one or two. two doses before travel.
“Unfortunately, the vaccines on the approved list are not available throughout Mexico and they are not easy to obtain because the Mexican government administers COVID vaccination in that country,” Black added. Vaccination rates in Mexico are currently estimated to be running at 50 percent.
Also in the news:
► UK National Health Service approved The COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11 years of age is most at risk of contracting the virus.
► Beijing officials on Sunday said they had locked down some residential communities north of the city center after two cases of COVID-19 were found. The Chinese capital is on high alert as the country prepares to host the Winter Olympics opening on Friday.
📈Today’s Number: The US has recorded more than 74 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 884,000 deaths, according to Data from Johns Hopkins University. Global total: More than 374 million cases and more than 5.6 million deaths. More than 211 million Americans – 63.8% – are fully immunized, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Oklahoma for military help as ICU beds fill up and cases reach all-time high
Three medical teams will arrive in Oklahoma City in early February to assist hospitals struggling during the COVID-19 omicron surge, a Department of Health spokesperson confirmed Friday.
More support could be good news for Oklahoma hospitals, which have been overwhelmed during the state’s spike in the omicron variant. hit an all-time high as cases are still at some of their highest levels throughout the course of the pandemic.
On Friday, four major health systems in Oklahoma City each reported that they had no beds in the intensive care unit, including at the Children’s Hospital of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma has the highest rate of new COVID-19 hospitalizations in the nation, behind only Kentucky and Georgia, according to a White House report.
– Dana Branham, Oklahoman
Contribution: Associated Press