(Headline USA) California officials revealed this week that the influx of illegal immigrants into the state has become so overwhelming that they can no longer afford to provide free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations for migrants.
In January, Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed phasing out state aid for medical services, including the migrant assistance program, after the state reported a projected $22.5 billion deficit. One of the first services to go will be the migrant aid program, through which California provides free testing and vaccines to those who enter the state, unless the Biden administration steps in and provides additional funding.
Newsom said he has had “some remarkably good conversations” with the Biden administration, according to Kaiser Health News, but the White House has not commented.
“We’re continuing our operations and again calling on all levels of government to make sure that there is an investment,” Kate Clark, senior director of immigration services for Jewish Family Service of San Diego, one of two main migrant shelter operators.
Newsom justified scaling back the migrant program by arguing that the pandemic is no longer as serious of a threat. Several state lawmakers have agreed, noting California is set to revoke its state of emergency on Feb. 28.
“The pandemic conditions no longer warrant this large investment from the state, especially since immigration is supposed to be a federal issue,” state Senate Republican leader Brian Jones said in a statement.
The state’s shelter services for migrants is expected to continue “for the near term,” according to the California Health and Human Services Agency, but there are plans to cut shelter sites’ capacity.
More than 5 million illegal immigrants have entered the country since President Joe Biden took office. That figure is more than the populations of 15 different states: Wyoming, Idaho, Nebraska, New Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, Vermont, Delaware, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Maine, Rhode Island, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota.
