A group of deported veterans momentarily crossed the border on Wednesday to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, as part of a clinic conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
One of them was the former member of the US Navy, Milton Tepeyac, who made the trip from Sonora.
A couple of days ago, while looking for houses for rent in Hermosillo, he found a post on Facebook that advertised the clinic to be held at the San Ysidro border crossing.
Motivated by his family and friends, he looked for flights to Tijuana, but due to the rush the prices were high. For this reason, he opted to make the trip by bus, which took him about 14 hours.
“The simple fact that they are doing this is already an incredible achievement,” said the 45-year-old Tepeyac.
Veterans Affairs in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) contacted veterans who lived on or near the border, to inform them of both the vaccine and other benefits to which they are eligible, explained Dr. Jennifer MacDonald, principal advisor with VA.
In all, 21 people, including relatives of deported veterans, received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine at a special clinic set up near the PedEast crosswalk.
Veterans and some family members were called in shifts of five people, and once they were vaccinated and monitored on the US side, they were returned to Mexico through the same crosswalk to continue with the next group.
“Hearing their appreciation and seeing the feeling of dignity in the eyes of these people was very compelling,” MacDonald said in a telephone interview.
He said that during the clinic it was sought that all questions about the vaccine were answered.
Miguel Hernández, a US Army veteran, returns to Tijuana after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine at the San Ysidro border crossing
(Alexandra Mendoza / UT)
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Also, there were personnel who informed them about other benefits and services, to which they are entitled regardless of nationality or place of residence, and to which they can be accessed from outside the country.
MacDonald described the feelings of the veterans who came to the clinic. “Most of the people I had the privilege of vaccinating, the first things they said to me was ‘thank you for doing this, for remembering us.’
Migrant veterans are eligible to receive US citizenship, but some of them did not complete the necessary paperwork.
In the case of those who are deported, it has been because they incurred an offense and did not complete their immigration process properly.
Last July, DHS and VA announced that they will conduct a review of policies and practices to ensure that eligible non-citizen military members – current and former – and their immediate families can remain in the United States or return to the United States. said country.
As that plan moves forward, veterans and activists welcome these actions.
Robert Vivar, co-director of the Resource Center for Deported Veterans in Tijuana, and who was one of the main voices both to ask for and to publicize this vaccination clinic, considers it a good first step.
“Several actions that we have seen lately make us understand that there is progress on some process to return deported soldiers,” said Vivar.
He added that for many deported veterans, simply entering the United States, even for a few minutes, is encouraging. “It is something that, even momentarily they want to enjoy it.”
Congressman Juan Vargas was involved in this effort for the vaccination clinic to take place.
“I will continue to fight for all of our veterans who have served our nation diligently, who live in Mexico or in other countries. They deserve important health resources such as the COVID vaccine, “he said in a statement.
All people over 18 years of age in Baja California, regardless of nationality, are eligible to receive the COVID vaccine. However, vaccination events depend on the availability of the vaccine.
Miguel Hernández, 75, a veteran of the US Army who was deported four years ago, had not wanted to get vaccinated, since he said “he does not like needles.”
On Wednesday he finally accepted as he said, his family insisted that he do so to prevent the disease. Prior to this occasion, the last time he had been vaccinated against anything was while serving in the US military in the late 1970s, he said.
Félix Peralta Jr., also a veteran of the US Army, who was deported to Mexico 20 years ago, had not wanted to get vaccinated either because he had doubts, but when he heard about this clinic organized by the US government, he was convinced.
“I feel nervous, but I am glad that I am going to cross legally for my vaccine,” said Peralta, 58, minutes before receiving it.
He agreed with his fellow veterans, that this small action revives the hope of one day returning to the United States with his family.
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