DEMOCRATS are warning that President Trump’s immigration policies could exacerbate the spread of coronavirus both inside and outside U.S. borders.
DEMOCRAT concern is centered on two areas of the administration's policies: the various programs to slow down asylum applications — which have contributed to overpopulated and generally unsanitary refugee camps south of the U.S.-Mexico border — and the so-called public charge rule, which could discourage immigrants from seeking medical attention.
Trump's critics have long-opposed both policies, but now see them as a new threat to public health with the rise of the Wuhan virus — one extending to communities far beyond the immigrants directly affected.
"With this administration, part of their strategy has been to scare anybody who is an immigrant — documented or undocumented — to feel unwelcome, to feel like you don't belong, and to feel like you're not welcome to participate in things that are healthy for you and healthy for the surrounding community,” said Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-Calif.), who heads the campaign arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Other DEMOCRATS have since made similar arguments.
"We have to proliferate the access to testing and services. And if someone is undocumented — or has a green card — and they feel that they're not eligible for any of these kinds of services, that's just going to worsen the situation, that's going to prevent us from really addressing the coronavirus issue in an effective way,” said Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D), a Hispanic Caucus member from New York.
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