Why Covid-19 infections at the ICE increased by 500% since the beginning of 2022?

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Since the beginning of 2022, the Covid-19 infections at the ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) have increased by 500%. It prompted rapid vaccination and release efforts of detainees. More than 1,760 immigrants were isolated at ICE detention facilities on Thursday. However, there were just 285 active cases on 3^rd January. The number of detainees with active COVID-19 cases represents 8% of the 22,000 immigrants ICE is currently holding in its network of 200 detention centers, county jails, and for-profit prisons. At least 32,000 immigrants have tested positive for the coronavirus in ICE custody since the outset of the pandemic. The ICE also reported 11 coronavirus-related deaths of detainees. The recent spike in Covid-19 cases at ICE detention sites came following the rapid nationwide spread of the Omicron variant.

The new Omicron variant has been found to be more transmissible than other strains of the virus. A senior ICE official said the agency is expecting an increase in infections due to the Omicron variant. The official pointed out that ICE requires immigrants to undergo testing and 14-day quarantine upon entering a detention facility. The agency said the coronavirus positivity rate in some of its detention facilities is lower than the local community because of the stringent testing and quarantine protocols in place. But the sharp increase in infections has renewed concerns about ICE’s detainee vaccination campaign. The ICE data shows more than 48 thousand detainees have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. At least 5,670 immigrants in ICE custody had received a booster shot.

The agency said booster dose distribution is low because the average length of stay for individuals in ICE custody is about a month and well below the eligibility requirement. However, the number of ICE detainees who have received a vaccine has more than doubled since August 2021. The 48,246 individuals who have received a coronavirus vaccine in detention also represent only one-third of 141,000 immigrants who have entered ICE custody after July 2021. ICE relied on state and local vaccine allocations to vaccinate a limited number of immigrants in its custody prior to July 2021. The data shows 37.6% of immigrants who have been offered the vaccine by the agency have declined it. It is noteworthy that a senior ICE official said the agency has translated vaccination consent forms into Spanish, French, Haitian Creole, Portuguese, and Punjabi.