Passage 5
Migrants detained and held in immigration and other detention settings in the U.S.
have faced increased risk of COVID-19 infection…this study sought to estimate
rates of COVID-19 testing, infection, care seeking, and vaccination among Mexican
migrants detained by U.S. immigration authorities and forcibly returned to Mexico.
We conducted a cross-sectional probability survey of Mexican migrants deported
from the U.S. to three Mexican border cities: Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, and Matamoros (N
= 306)...survey measures included self-reported history of COVID-19 testing, infection,
care seeking, vaccination, intentions to vaccinate, and other prevention and risk factors.
Weighted data were used to estimate population-level prevalence rates. Bivariate tests
and adjusted logistic regression models were estimated to identify associations between
these COVID-19 outcomes and demographic, migration, and contextual factors.
Age, English fluency, and length of detention were positively associated with testing
and vaccination history, whereas detention in an immigration center and length of
time living in the U.S. were negatively related to testing, infection, and vaccination
history. Survey city and survey quarter also showed adjusted associations with
testing, infection, and vaccination history, reflecting potential variations in access to
services across geographic regions and over time as the pandemic unfolded.
This study provides insights into the extent of COVID-19 testing, infection, care, and
vaccination among Mexican migrants deported from the U.S., an underserved and
understudied migrant population. The results show that at least a third had a history
of diagnosed or suspected infection, and over 44% were held in crowded conditions.
The study also demonstrates insufficient access to testing and care for COVID-19,
but higher-than-expected levels of vaccination and willingness to get vaccinated
among those not yet immunized. As we prepare for future waves of the pandemic
and potentially more transmissible and/or deadly variants, decarceration and other
measures aimed at reducing COVID-19 risk and increasing access to preventive
services and treatment among detained migrants must be planned and implemented.
Figure 1: COVID-19 testing, infection, and vaccination among deported Mexican
migrants: Results from a survey on the Mexico-U.S. border. Adapted from MartínezDonate et al. (2022).
Based on the information presented in the passage and in Figure 1, which of the
following statements can be reasonably concluded?
A) As the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, the average age of Mexican
migrants deported from the U.S. likely increased
B) Earlier in the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer Mexican migrants deported from
the U.S. were likely to have no English language reading comprehension skills
C) Increased COVID-19 vaccination uptake was positively correlated with living
in the U.S. a long time
D) Individuals who were less likely to receive COVID-19 vaccines were more
likely to have undergone significant trauma as a child or adult
Correct answer is B
According to the data presented in Figure 1, as the COVID-19 pandemic progressed,
fewer and fewer individuals were less likely to report an intention to become
vaccinated against COVID-19, with the rates of “yes” responses decreasing from
71.4% in November 2020-January 2021 to 62.0% in February 2021-April 2021 to
an all-time low of 14.2% in May 21-July 21. The passage also indicates that “English
fluency…w[as] positively associated with testing and vaccination history.” As a result,
it was likely that as intention to vaccinate decreased over time, English language
fluency increased. Thus, earlier in the pandemic, it is likely that fewer Mexican
migrants deported in the U.S. had no English language reading comprehension skills,
making Answer B correct.
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