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Border Patrol struggles with flood of sick migrants washex.am/2S4Z9Bn
The department said the spike in illnesses among migrants is forcing federal law enforcement to spend less time focused on serious threats because they are facilitating hospital and urgent care trips.
It’s also affecting communities that are trying to help with medical emergencies but are severely short-staffed.
For example, Hidalgo County, located in the southernmost part of New Mexico, is comprised of fewer than 5,000 residents.
For example, Hidalgo County, located in the southernmost part of New Mexico, is comprised of fewer than 5,000 residents.
The average resident makes $32,000 a year, and the low incomes mean the county has less money to use. Its general budget is just $1.7 million.
“The biggest concern that I’ve heard about is not that they’re disease-ridden, but the fact that they don't vaccinate. I mean, it would become a county epidemic,” Green said.
“The comment was made that a good 20 of the immigrants walked in with Border Patrol and all of the local residents that were there waiting for appointments were kind of pushed to the side...”
“... and several of the people got up and left because they didn't want to be around any type of illness they could be bringing in."
