Republican members of Congress are demanding to know how the Trump administration plans to respond if coronavirus outbreaks in Central America and Mexico prompt many to flee the region and head to the U.S.-Mexico border.
A group of 11 lawmakers, led by Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, sent the secretaries of health and human services, defense, and homeland security a letter Friday seeking information on what, if anything, they expect to see at the southern border and how they will respond.
“Given the porous nature of our border, and the continued lack of operational control due to the influence of dangerous cartels, it is foreseeable, indeed predictable, that any outbreak in Central America or Mexico could cause a rush to our border,” the group wrote in the letter, obtained by the Washington Examiner. “Over time, this could impose a new burden at our southern border that will threaten the safety and health of individuals in the United States and could cause a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions along our border and at detention facilities.”
Until Thursday, only one South American country, Brazil, had reported a coronavirus case. On Friday morning, Mexico’s assistant health secretary announced two cases, marking the first known cases in Mexico or Central America.
The lawmakers, eight of whom represent southern border states, said that although the Department of Homeland Security and its Customs and Border Protection agency have rolled out health screenings for some international travelers reentering the country at U.S. airports, the government has not said how it will handle travelers arriving at the southern border or if it believes the outbreaks could prompt more people in countries with high poverty rates to flee to the U.S. for help.
“Considering that the Department of Homeland Security already has its hands full caring for migrants that have not previously carried the COVID-19, we are seeking an understanding of what steps DHS, [the Department of Health and Human Services], and [the Defense Department] are taking to be prepared to contain the virus while also maintaining law and order, especially if an outbreak happens in areas from or through which migrants historically have come to the United States,” the letter states. It did not reference concerns about travelers at the U.S.-Canada border, although Canada had reported 13 cases of coronavirus as of Thursday.
Republicans asked what border officials are currently doing to screen legal border crossers at land ports of entry for coronavirus; how they will screen people apprehended illegally crossing the border; if CBP, Border Patrol, and HHS have tests and proper medical gear available; if the federal government would consult with state officials before moving migrants in custody to public hospitals in Texas; and if border facilities have a plan to quarantine and respond to virus concerns in a way that protects migrants and government employees. Lawmakers also asked if the Pentagon will need to deploy personnel to support federal law enforcement and health officials at the border.
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The letter did not inquire about the thousands of asylum seekers who are living in tent cities directly on the U.S.-Mexico border after being returned to Mexico, where they will wait weeks to months for court dates in the U.S. The camps have been well-documented by lawmakers and reporters as filled with sickness and having poor living conditions in recent months.
Other lawmakers signed onto the letter are Reps. Brian Babin of Texas, Andy Biggs of Arizona, Michael Cloud of Texas, Louie Gohmert of Texas, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Jody Hice of Georgia, Gregory F. Murphy of North Carolina, Pete Olson of Texas, Scott Perry of Pennsylvania, and Randy Weber of Texas.
In January, 36,679 people were arrested illegally crossing the southern border or turned away at ports of entry, on trend with average levels over the past five years. Nearly 30,000 of that figure were illegal crossers. The majority of people encountered by federal law enforcement on the southern border since the start of fiscal 2020 in October are from Mexico, according to CBP data.
