A press briefing was held in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room by White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Sept. 20, 2021, where she addressed pressing questions regarding COVID-19 and immigration.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to spread throughout the world, people within the United States have become increasingly concerned with vaccination requirements. Especially how they will be implemented for international travelers and immigrants. Press secretary Jen Psaki assured that there will be a policy that addresses the issue for foreign travelers and what will allow them access to the country.

Psaki stated, “starting in November, we will be implementing — I should say, in early November, we’ll be putting in place strict protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from passengers flying internationally into the United States by requiring that adult foreign nationals traveling to the United States be fully vaccinated.”

This topic of policy led to questions concerning immigration, specifically Haitian immigrants, and how Title 42 has impacted their ability to be permitted into the United States. Title 42 allows for the CDC to prohibit people from getting into the United States if it is believed that they could introduce the Coronavirus into the country.

Haitians seeking asylum in the U.S. from their native country have been seen in increasing numbers due to various disasters that have happened in Haiti. This includes earthquakes, their President being assassinated, gangs and overall unrest within the country exacerbated by the global pandemic. As mass groups of Haitians have been trying to get through the U.S. border, it has resulted in them getting deported back to their country due to the current state.

When addressing this further, Psaki stated, “we’ve been conveying that this is not the time to come.”
This topic led to the questioning of “equity and fairness” for the Haitians and the mistreatment they have been seen to receive at the border at the hands of Border Patrol agents.