Last Updated on September 11, 2021
On Thursday, Joe Biden announced that he would be forcing employers with more than 100 employees to require COVID-19 vaccination for all staff. The President stated that getting vaccinated is “not about freedom or personal choice” and that his “patience was wearing thin” regarding those who have opted not to get vaccinated. Following the announcement, Jen Psaki was asked about vaccination requirements for migrants on the southern border by Peter Doocy of Fox News on Friday.
“You’re trying to require anybody with a job or anybody who goes to school to get the COVID-19 vaccine, but you’re not requiring that of migrants that continue walking across the southern border into the country?” Doocy asked. “Our objective is to get as many people vaccinated across the country as humanly possible,” Psaki replied. She added that higher vaccination rates would make the country “safer” for all Americans. “And so the president’s announcement yesterday was an effort to empower businesses, to give businesses the tools to protect their workforces.”
Doocy then followed up on the question regarding the southern border. “But it’s a requirement for people at a business with more than 100 people but it’s not a requirement for migrants at the southern border?” he followed up. “That’s correct,” Psaki replied before quickly moving on to another reporter.
WH Press Secretary Jen Psaki just confirmed President Biden’s mandates apply to American citizens and private businesses, but not to migrants illegally crossing into our country.
This hypocrisy is astounding. #BidenBorderCrisis pic.twitter.com/2CbvAIze45
— Rep. Richard Hudson (@RepRichHudson) September 10, 2021
In addition to migrants, members of congress and their staff will also be exempt from Biden’s new mandate. Members of the U.S. military will be required to get vaccinated under Biden’s decree, as will all federal workers and contractors.
Last month, NBC obtained a leaked DHS document revealing that 18% of migrants in border patrol custody had been testing positive for the virus upon arrival. Of migrants scheduled for deportation flights, upwards of 25% had tested positive, prompting flight cancellations. President Trump issued a statement on the COVID rates on the southern border shortly after the document was made public. “Our ‘Government’ tells you how to mask up, use three if possible, and how to otherwise act as highly infected people pour into our country,” said Trump.
