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| U.S. Deported Thousands Amid Covid-19 Outbreak. Some Proved to Be Sick. | U.S. Deported Thousands Amid Covid-19 Outbreak. Some Proved to Be Sick. |
| (3 days later) | |
| In the scramble to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the United States, the Trump administration has been pushing forward with its aggressive immigration enforcement agenda, deporting thousands of people to their home countries, including some who are sick with the virus. | In the scramble to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the United States, the Trump administration has been pushing forward with its aggressive immigration enforcement agenda, deporting thousands of people to their home countries, including some who are sick with the virus. |
| Dozens of Guatemalans flown home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement since late March tested positive for the coronavirus after returning, according to Guatemalan authorities. | Dozens of Guatemalans flown home by Immigration and Customs Enforcement since late March tested positive for the coronavirus after returning, according to Guatemalan authorities. |
| And deportations of children and teenagers who arrived at the border without adult guardians have risen sharply following stepped-up restrictions at the border adopted during the pandemic. | And deportations of children and teenagers who arrived at the border without adult guardians have risen sharply following stepped-up restrictions at the border adopted during the pandemic. |
| President Trump used the surgeon general’s authority last month to effectively seal the southwestern border, saying the move was necessary to prevent migrants from carrying the coronavirus into the United States. But few, if any, people with the disease have crossed the border from Mexico, and Guatemalan authorities have now accused the United States, which has the most coronavirus cases in the world, of sending infected people back across its borders. | President Trump used the surgeon general’s authority last month to effectively seal the southwestern border, saying the move was necessary to prevent migrants from carrying the coronavirus into the United States. But few, if any, people with the disease have crossed the border from Mexico, and Guatemalan authorities have now accused the United States, which has the most coronavirus cases in the world, of sending infected people back across its borders. |
| Deportations to Honduras and El Salvador have also continued, despite the concerns of migrants’ advocates and some government officials in Central America. Those countries, like neighboring Guatemala, are beset by widespread poverty and weak public health systems, making them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the pandemic. | Deportations to Honduras and El Salvador have also continued, despite the concerns of migrants’ advocates and some government officials in Central America. Those countries, like neighboring Guatemala, are beset by widespread poverty and weak public health systems, making them particularly vulnerable to the impacts of the pandemic. |
| A team of researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention arrived in Guatemala this past week “to review and validate the Covid-19 tests performed on those arriving,” according to Jenny Burke, an ICE spokeswoman. Ms. Burke said the agency would then “re-evaluate current medical procedures with C.D.C. guidance to ensure that any newly necessary practices are implemented.” | A team of researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention arrived in Guatemala this past week “to review and validate the Covid-19 tests performed on those arriving,” according to Jenny Burke, an ICE spokeswoman. Ms. Burke said the agency would then “re-evaluate current medical procedures with C.D.C. guidance to ensure that any newly necessary practices are implemented.” |
| Even with restrictions on flights into the United States to prevent transfer of the coronavirus, a significant number of deportations are still being conducted. In March, ICE completed 17,965 removals, according to agency records. Total deportations have declined so far in April, however, with 2,985 removals of foreign nationals from all countries. | Even with restrictions on flights into the United States to prevent transfer of the coronavirus, a significant number of deportations are still being conducted. In March, ICE completed 17,965 removals, according to agency records. Total deportations have declined so far in April, however, with 2,985 removals of foreign nationals from all countries. |
| U.S. authorities said this past week that they were suspending removals to Guatemala pending an investigation of that country’s claims about the coronavirus. | U.S. authorities said this past week that they were suspending removals to Guatemala pending an investigation of that country’s claims about the coronavirus. |
| A total of 95 minors traveling without their parents were deported to Guatemala in March, up from 16 in January, before the border closure began, according to figures provided by the Guatemalan government. A total of 92 were deported to Guatemala during the first half of April. | A total of 95 minors traveling without their parents were deported to Guatemala in March, up from 16 in January, before the border closure began, according to figures provided by the Guatemalan government. A total of 92 were deported to Guatemala during the first half of April. |
| The speedy removal of unaccompanied children and teenagers represents a significant change from previous practice, under which migrants designated as “unaccompanied minors” were taken to shelters operated by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and usually given a chance to apply for asylum in the United States. | The speedy removal of unaccompanied children and teenagers represents a significant change from previous practice, under which migrants designated as “unaccompanied minors” were taken to shelters operated by the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement and usually given a chance to apply for asylum in the United States. |
| Before the pandemic-related border ban, such young people were only deported after a lengthy legal process in which they were given access to social workers and, in some cases, government-funded lawyers. Under the ban, they can be expeditiously expelled without those protections. | Before the pandemic-related border ban, such young people were only deported after a lengthy legal process in which they were given access to social workers and, in some cases, government-funded lawyers. Under the ban, they can be expeditiously expelled without those protections. |
| Migrant advocates said the shift puts the children at risk of kidnapping or other exploitation. | Migrant advocates said the shift puts the children at risk of kidnapping or other exploitation. |
| “When you send kids back without any precautions, without any screening, you create a situation in which traffickers, smugglers and people who want to take advantage of them are literally waiting for them in these border towns,” said Michelle Brané, the director of migrant rights and justice at the Women’s Refugee Commission. | “When you send kids back without any precautions, without any screening, you create a situation in which traffickers, smugglers and people who want to take advantage of them are literally waiting for them in these border towns,” said Michelle Brané, the director of migrant rights and justice at the Women’s Refugee Commission. |
| The issue of deportees being returned to Guatemala has become especially sensitive as the country attempts to contain its own coronavirus outbreak. | The issue of deportees being returned to Guatemala has become especially sensitive as the country attempts to contain its own coronavirus outbreak. |
| For weeks, the authorities have evaluated the health of deportees arriving at the airport in Guatemala City to screen for possible infection. Those who have a higher-than-normal temperature or other potential symptoms are whisked to a special hospital and tested for Covid-19, officials said. | For weeks, the authorities have evaluated the health of deportees arriving at the airport in Guatemala City to screen for possible infection. Those who have a higher-than-normal temperature or other potential symptoms are whisked to a special hospital and tested for Covid-19, officials said. |
| This past week, Guatemala’s health minister, Hugo Monroy, said American deportation flights were aggravating the outbreak in Guatemala by returning people already infected with the virus, and the foreign minister, Pedro Brolo, repeated the complaint on Friday. | This past week, Guatemala’s health minister, Hugo Monroy, said American deportation flights were aggravating the outbreak in Guatemala by returning people already infected with the virus, and the foreign minister, Pedro Brolo, repeated the complaint on Friday. |
| The United States, Dr. Monroy said, “has practically become the Wuhan of America.” | The United States, Dr. Monroy said, “has practically become the Wuhan of America.” |
| Various Guatemalan officials have put the number at between 30 and 43, most of them apparently aboard two flights that arrived on March 26 from Mesa, Ariz., and on Monday from Brownsville, Texas. | Various Guatemalan officials have put the number at between 30 and 43, most of them apparently aboard two flights that arrived on March 26 from Mesa, Ariz., and on Monday from Brownsville, Texas. |
| In a televised speech late Friday, President Alejandro Giammattei of Guatemala weighed in, saying that technicians from the C.D.C. had randomly tested 12 deportees who had arrived on the Monday flight and that all the tests had resulted positive on Friday. | In a televised speech late Friday, President Alejandro Giammattei of Guatemala weighed in, saying that technicians from the C.D.C. had randomly tested 12 deportees who had arrived on the Monday flight and that all the tests had resulted positive on Friday. |
| He said that a suspension of deportation flights that began on Thursday would continue until the United States was able to assure Guatemalan officials that deportees were being returned “free of the coronavirus.” | He said that a suspension of deportation flights that began on Thursday would continue until the United States was able to assure Guatemalan officials that deportees were being returned “free of the coronavirus.” |
| Mr. Giammattei said he was allowing one exception to the suspension: a deportation flight that would return 12 unaccompanied minors who had been caught trying to cross the southwestern border of the United States. | Mr. Giammattei said he was allowing one exception to the suspension: a deportation flight that would return 12 unaccompanied minors who had been caught trying to cross the southwestern border of the United States. |
| ICE officials said the agency was conducting a “visual screening” of all deportees and checking temperatures before boarding on chartered deportation flights. Under new guidance announced on Friday, the agency said, any detainee with a temperature of 99 degrees or higher would be immediately referred to a medical provider for further evaluation and observation. | ICE officials said the agency was conducting a “visual screening” of all deportees and checking temperatures before boarding on chartered deportation flights. Under new guidance announced on Friday, the agency said, any detainee with a temperature of 99 degrees or higher would be immediately referred to a medical provider for further evaluation and observation. |
| Guatemalan officials reported a total of 235 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country and seven deaths as of late Friday. The official tally includes the 12 deportees who were found to test positive by the C.D.C. on Friday and at least five people who were returned from the United States on deportation flights in recent weeks, officials said. | Guatemalan officials reported a total of 235 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country and seven deaths as of late Friday. The official tally includes the 12 deportees who were found to test positive by the C.D.C. on Friday and at least five people who were returned from the United States on deportation flights in recent weeks, officials said. |
| There is evidence that Guatemalans may be growing increasingly suspicious of returning migrants for fear they may be importing infection. | There is evidence that Guatemalans may be growing increasingly suspicious of returning migrants for fear they may be importing infection. |
| Updated June 12, 2020 | |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. | Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission. |
| Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. | Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. | Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications. |
| The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. | The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing. |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| On Wednesday, Mr. Giammattei said that several community councils in Quetzaltenango, a city in the western highlands of the country, had planned to burn down a government building where 80 deportees were being quarantined. | On Wednesday, Mr. Giammattei said that several community councils in Quetzaltenango, a city in the western highlands of the country, had planned to burn down a government building where 80 deportees were being quarantined. |
| Residents in the area had feared that the deportees, who had been sent overland from a neighboring country, posed a health threat to the community. | Residents in the area had feared that the deportees, who had been sent overland from a neighboring country, posed a health threat to the community. |
| “They wanted to burn the people,” Mr. Giammattei said of the community councils during a televised address. The deportees had been given medical screenings, he said, and none were found to be infected. “They don’t pose a risk to anyone,” he said. | “They wanted to burn the people,” Mr. Giammattei said of the community councils during a televised address. The deportees had been given medical screenings, he said, and none were found to be infected. “They don’t pose a risk to anyone,” he said. |
| Even as the coronavirus pandemic has posed serious new threats to those held in crowded custodial settings, ICE officials have said the agency is continuing with “mission critical” arrests of immigrants without legal status. | Even as the coronavirus pandemic has posed serious new threats to those held in crowded custodial settings, ICE officials have said the agency is continuing with “mission critical” arrests of immigrants without legal status. |
| The agency is facing a flurry of lawsuits seeking the release of people in immigration custody. ICE says that 124 detainees in its custody have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, along with 30 agency employees who work at detention centers. | The agency is facing a flurry of lawsuits seeking the release of people in immigration custody. ICE says that 124 detainees in its custody have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, along with 30 agency employees who work at detention centers. |
| Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter this month accusing the Department of Homeland Security of “exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic by claiming new, sweeping powers to summarily expel large, unknown numbers of individuals arriving at our border in clear contravention of existing federal laws.” | Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a letter this month accusing the Department of Homeland Security of “exploiting the Covid-19 pandemic by claiming new, sweeping powers to summarily expel large, unknown numbers of individuals arriving at our border in clear contravention of existing federal laws.” |
| The senators, led by Patrick Leahy of Vermont, said the department was “blatantly misinterpreting its limited authorities” in enforcing the border closure. | The senators, led by Patrick Leahy of Vermont, said the department was “blatantly misinterpreting its limited authorities” in enforcing the border closure. |
| The Trump administration has also pushed ahead with court hearings for detained migrant children who were already in the United States when the border restrictions came down. | The Trump administration has also pushed ahead with court hearings for detained migrant children who were already in the United States when the border restrictions came down. |
| Though requirements that the children appear in court have been waived to allow for social distancing, judges continue to take up their cases, including for children who do not have lawyers, according to Anthony Enriquez, director of the Unaccompanied Minors Program at Catholic Charities in New York, a group that advocates for migrant children. | Though requirements that the children appear in court have been waived to allow for social distancing, judges continue to take up their cases, including for children who do not have lawyers, according to Anthony Enriquez, director of the Unaccompanied Minors Program at Catholic Charities in New York, a group that advocates for migrant children. |
| In those cases, Mr. Enriquez said, immigration judges are calling nonprofit legal service providers to ask whether lawyers would like to volunteer as “friends of the court” and offer information to help inform the judges’ decisions. | In those cases, Mr. Enriquez said, immigration judges are calling nonprofit legal service providers to ask whether lawyers would like to volunteer as “friends of the court” and offer information to help inform the judges’ decisions. |
| “When you put all these pieces together, whether consciously or not, it starts to look like the administration is railroading these detained children into deportation as quickly as possible,” Mr. Enriquez said. | “When you put all these pieces together, whether consciously or not, it starts to look like the administration is railroading these detained children into deportation as quickly as possible,” Mr. Enriquez said. |
| Caitlin Dickerson reported from New York and Kirk Semple from Mexico City. Nic Wirtz contributed reporting from Antigua, Guatemala. | Caitlin Dickerson reported from New York and Kirk Semple from Mexico City. Nic Wirtz contributed reporting from Antigua, Guatemala. |