COVID + Safe Borders

Currently we have stricter COVID screening policies for people entering the U.S. by airplane than we do people coming over land borders—including people coming illegally. 

Right now, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) requires that all air passengers coming to the U.S.—even U.S. Citizens—must have a negative COVID-19 test or proof of recovery. Yet those seeking to enter our land borders—including those entering illegally—do not face these same requirements. The Biden administration’s recent executive order allows border officers now to release those entering our country illegally WITHOUT a COVID test and without ensuring they have a place where they can quarantine. 

Why should someone flying to the U.S. face greater restrictions than someone crossing a land border? It makes no sense. It isn’t fair and it’s dangerous. 

It is even MORE critical that we have border control since people coming from around the world could bring new variants that are resistant to existing vaccines and set us back in terms of our ability to reopen.

Just recently, after seeking asylum in Brownsville, Texas, over 100 illegal migrants tested positive for COVID-19, then boarded buses to travel to dozens of cities and states throughout the country. A spokesperson for the city of Brownsville told NBC “that they do not have the authority to retain these migrants,” despite testing positive for COVID-19.  

Americans are still reeling from COVID and its aftermath. We are all hoping and praying that the tide is turning so we can reopen our society and enjoy life and liberty again. We should not let unsafe border policies undermine our progress. This isn’t a political issue; it’s a matter of public health.