Dubauskas: Scottsdale’s undocumented with COVID-19 must not be released into the community

One of the most difficult aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic is the lack of stable and consistent leadership from the federal government.

Early in the pandemic, messaging to citizens said that once we have achieved herd immunity, between the vaccinated and those who recovered from COVID-19, we will be over the hurdle and able return to our regular business.

Then, the numbers started to change and it became a goal of 70% vaccination, regardless of those in the community who already had antibodies.

Now, the Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) issues new guidance this week which again adjusts the goal posts due to the Delta variant. The CDC is asking the vaccinated to wear a mask, even in their own homes with their families.

Yet, at the same time, we are experiencing a border crisis like at no other time in the history of our country. According to the US Customs and Border Protection, there were 188,829 border crossing attempts at the southern border in the month of June 2021.

With many of these attempts successful and without strong borders in place, we do not know how many are carrying COVID-19 across the border and into our community.

The CDC’s recommendation to vaccinated Americans is in stark contrast to the federal government’s treatment of these immigrants at the southern border. In Texas, a public health announcement was released after police discovered that border patrol agents are releasing the undocumented into the community because they have COVID-19.

Border patrol is exacerbating COVID-19 by releasing it into the community, while the CDC is further restricting American citizens.

Here in Scottsdale, we have an ICE facility that is housing asylum seeking immigrants for a temporary period of time. While this facility has been hotly contested by the public, the facility is here for now.

As residents, we must be assured that these immigrants are not spreading COVID-19 in our community.

It is imperative that Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega assure us that immigrants with COVID-19 are not being released into our community. Federal and local governments must work together to ensure that American citizens are not overly burdened due to easily correctable government policies.

Editor’s Note: Jan Dubauskas is a Scottsdale resident and candidate for Legislative District 23 State Senate.