14 Jan Undocumented Immigrants may get free vaccine

By Atty. Chris Caday Lozano

The National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has recommended that “all individuals in the United States and its territories should receive the vaccine…irrespective of their legal status,” but little explicit planning has been devoted to vaccine distribution among undocumented people. Given that up to 15 percent of essential workers in any given state are undocumented, the risks of not vaccinating this group are enormous. Achieving vaccine-induced herd immunity among essential employees in various fields will be extremely difficult if undocumented people are skipped over. More broadly, vaccine-induced herd immunity in the general population will also be difficult to reach if undocumented people are not included.  

Risks to the general public notwithstanding, failing to vaccinate undocumented immigrants has dire consequences for their health. Undocumented immigrants often work in industries such as food processing, transportation, farming, and meatpacking that regularly exploit their workers in multiple ways, including disregarding safety measures and paying less than minimal wages. Poverty is a causal factor for infection, with many undocumented immigrants living in crowded, multigenerational housing with little capacity to quarantine post-infection. Poverty also underlies the need to work despite risk of infection and an increased reliance on crowded public transit. Undocumented immigrants are also more likely to be either under- or uninsured, as almost half of non-elderly undocumented immigrants have no insurance compared to US citizens (8 percent) or documented immigrants (23 percent). Additionally, undocumented immigrants may have further reason to fear health care due to legal penalties and risk of detention and deportation. Socioeconomic disparity also drives an increased prevalence of comorbidities in this population. In sum, undocumented immigrants are among the highest-risk groups for COVID-19 infection and complications.

As arrangements are made to vaccinate essential workers and people with COVID-19-associated comorbidities, it is critical that undocumented people be included. Distribution of the vaccine to these communities must be undertaken with provisions guaranteeing that their records are not released to governmental agencies, putting them at risk for deportation and denial of public services. Finally, vaccines must be provided at zero cost to all, ensuring that poverty does not continue to be a driver of disparity in COVID-19 burden.

In Orange County resident age 65 and older is now eligible to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, county health officials said Tuesday, Jan. 12.

SUCCESS STORIES

1.       For the month of November and December 2020, we received approvals of four K-1 Fiancé visa, five green card applications and one I-601 Hardship waiver.   

2.       For the month of October 2020, we received from USCIS seven approvals of Family petitions, and one Removal of Condition on residence.      

3.       For the month of September 2020, we received three naturalization approvals, four I-130 petition approvals and one DACA approval.

4.       For the month of August 2020, we received three renewals of green card and four naturalization approvals from USCIS.

5.       For the month of July 2020, we received two approvals of Naturalization applications from USCIS.

6.       For the month of June 2020, we received approvals from USCIS two naturalization applications, two renewal of green card and one adjustment of status.

7.       For the month of May 2020, we received approvals from USCIS for three green card renewals, two adjustments of status, and one naturalization application.

8.       for the month of April 2020. We received approval of one adjustment of status, three removal of condition on residence and one renewal of green card.   

9.       For the month of March 2020, we received six Adjustment of Status and three Naturalization approvals from USCIS.

10.     For the month of February 2020, we received approvals from USCIS of  five Adjustment of Status applications and three Naturalization applications.

11.     For the month of January 2020, we received approvals from USCIS of five Adjustments of status applications, three N-400 applications for naturalization and three fiancé visa applications.         

If you have immigration problems the Law Offices of Crispin C. Lozano can help you find a solution before your problem gets worse which could lead to deportation and family separation. 

Chris Caday Lozano, Esq. is an active member of the State Bar of California, the American Immigration Lawyers Association and San Francisco Trial Lawyers.  He practices immigration law, bankruptcy and personal injury law since June 1999.  His contact phone is 1-877-456-9266, email: info@CCLlaw.net