U.S. mandates COVID-19 vaccines for new immigrants

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services added the coronavirus vaccine to the list of required shots all legal immigrants must have. New arrivals must prove vaccination status starting on Oct. 1. USCIS will allow medical and religious exemptions, as well as exemptions for children too young to receive the vaccine. The mandate does not apply to those entering the country illegally. The Biden administration is still operating under a public health rule that allows the quick expulsion of illegal immigrants during the pandemic.

Why another mandate? The Biden administration says it must impose vaccine mandates because of rising delta infections. Alaska’s largest hospital, one of only three in Anchorage, announced Tuesday that it will start rationing care due to staff and resource shortages. Mississippi surpassed New Jersey on Tuesday in most COVID-19 deaths per 1,000 residents. About 54 percent of the U.S. population is fully vaccinated.

Dig deeper: Read Steve West’s report in Liberties on how governors are responding to the latest vaccine mandates.