COVID-19 cases in ICE detention centers have increased by 520 percent this year

The number of COVID-19 infections among U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainees has increased 520 percent since the start of the new year, CBS News reports, “push calls to step up vaccination efforts and release detainees.”

Cases increased more than sixfold between January 3 and Thursday, according to government statistics, when 1,766 immigrants were being monitored for confirmed coronavirus infections, CBS News wrote. As of January 3, there are only 285 active cases.

The recent increase comes as the highly transmissible variant of Omicron continues to spread across the country, raising concerns around ICE’s vaccination campaign for detainees and prevention protocols. prevent.

According to a CBS News report, according to unpublished ICE records, 37.6% of immigrants offered the vaccine while in custody refused. Experts attribute the rejection rate to misinformation, distrust of the government and lack of education about vaccines.

Scott Allen, a doctor who focuses on the medical treatment of migrants, said: “Vaccination is essential for detainees but it must be given effective education and counseling to ensure that people are vaccinated. overcome skepticism and confusion about COVID and vaccination,” Scott Allen, a physician who specializes in medical treatment of migrants, told CBS News.

“For anyone else,” he added, “the decision to accept or refuse vaccination involves informed consent, so health education and individual counseling should be part of the strategy.” to increase immunization among detainees. “

Attorneys have also urged ICE “to release immigrants with medical conditions, especially with COVID-19 infections on the rise, CBS News reported.

“The number of people who are medically vulnerable in ICE custody,” said ACLU attorney Eunice Cho. “The Biden administration needs to look very quickly at the people they’re holding and be very aggressive in making sure they’re releasing everyone to the safety of their homes.”