In an announcement last week, New York City Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan raised concerns about the influx of illegal immigrants into the city, attributing it to a spike in contagious diseases like tuberculosis and polio.
Vasan’s citywide letter addressed to physicians and healthcare administrators pointed out that over 50,000 illegal immigrants had arrived in New York City since the previous year, many of whom came from countries with high rates of tuberculosis.
As reported by the New York Post, he stated, “Many people who recently arrived in NYC have lived in or traveled through countries with high rates of TB.”
The impact of this surge in contagious diseases has been significant, with the city’s tuberculosis rate now surpassing the national average at 6.1 cases per 100,000, more than double the national rate.
Notably, 88% of these tuberculosis cases were found in individuals born outside the United States, indicating the influence of recent immigration on the public health scenario.
It’s worth noting that cases of tuberculosis have been observed in every neighborhood across the city.
Tuberculosis, while treatable with antibiotics, demands a recovery period of six to nine months.
In light of this, Commissioner Vasan’s letter urged New York to take comprehensive action in providing migrants with essential health care, food, and legal services.
It is pertinent to mention that immigrants who apply for visas lawfully undergo health screenings and vaccination verification, and refugees are screened for tuberculosis before their entry into the United States.
The issue of unaccompanied migrant children and tuberculosis has also come to light recently, with President Joe Biden’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) admitting to the entry of thousands of these children with inactive tuberculosis into American communities over the past year.
As reported by Breitbart News, a court-ordered report highlighted how HHS has been releasing thousands of these children with latent infections, contributing to the influx of migrants into the United States.
The report revealed that HHS does not routinely treat unaccompanied migrant children with inactive tuberculosis, as they are often quickly released into the U.S. interior.
Furthermore, it exposed the lack of adequate shelter space for migrant children with criminal records, raising concerns about the final destination of these minors.
In response to the situation, conservative-leaning voices have emphasized the need for stricter immigration policies that prioritize public health.
They argue that safeguarding the health of American citizens requires a balanced approach to immigration, one that addresses potential health risks while upholding the country’s compassionate values.
By maintaining a vigilant focus on public health and implementing appropriate screening measures, policymakers can strike a balance between humanitarian concerns and the welfare of the nation.
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