As we complain about not being back in college, missing our friends, and our need to hunt for toilet paper on the shelves, I ask that you turn your attention towards an invisible population facing the threat of Coronavirus in a much harsher way. While many populations are being hit by Coronavirus in negative ways, I find the media has not focused much on the lives of unauthorized immigrants during this pandemic.
For years, I have found the Trump administration’s treatment of undocumented immigrants to be a disgrace and a violation of basic human rights. Between ICE raids, unlivable detention center conditions, the threat of ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, the restrictions set on asylum acceptances, and the inhumane separation of families at the Mexico-US border, it has been made clear that undocumented immigrants are not respected by the Trump Administration.
However, the consequences of these actions will soon be revealed as the Coronavirus spreads among these communities and creates unfathomable suffering.
Before examining the roots of these consequences and future projections, it should be noted that undocumented immigrants are extremely crucial to this country. Currently, the US civilian workforce is composed of around 7.6 million unauthorized immigrants working jobs most people don’t even realize are supporting their daily lives. They also provide human capital, entrepreneurship, and innovation performing vital roles in the US economy. In an article from Forbes, the National Academy of Sciences states, “In short, the prospects for long-run economic growth in the United States would be considerably dimmed without the contributions of high-skilled immigrants.”
Understanding some of why they are so vital to this country, it should now be noted undocumented immigrants are in grave danger and a threat to the end of this pandemic.
Additionally, as their jobs are disappearing with no employer health insurance, any infected immigrants will have no choice but to sit still and pray their conditions improve. As the Affordable Care Act excludes undocumented immigrants, 7.1 million migrants lack health insurance and a Primary Care Provider. If any symptoms arise, undocumented immigrants with no insurance will not even have a PCP to call. While one might say that all they have to do is stay home, it should be recalled that undocumented immigrants will most likely be unemployed and no benefit from any government safety nets, making them the most vulnerable to poverty.
Additionally, the journal adds that regardless of ICE’s obligations to national standards, more than 250 detention centers are privately owned and are not subject to the same regulations. This causes “optional” adherence to medical care policies and will most likely cause the virus to spread in exponential amounts.
The solutions here are clear. As the NEJM suggests, the government should expand access to healthcare and testing, reduce the number of people in detention centers, suspend the public charge rule, and make government benefits available to unauthorized immigrants.
Whether the Trump Administration wakes up to face the flaws in their policy or ignores these people and lets them drown, the coronavirus itself is not political and will show the effects of irresponsible government response.
If you are undocumented and seeking more information about Covid-19, visit this site.
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