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Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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FACT BRIEF

Did the House block a measure requiring detained migrants to receive a negative COVID-19 test before release?

By Stevie Rosignol-Cortez
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YES

The House of Representatives in March declined to consider a bill sponsored by two Republican members that would require immigrants detained at the border to have a negative coronavirus test before being released.

The measure would have required a negative coronavirus test for migrants released from the custody of border authorities, as well as those placed in “an alternative to detention program” within 30 days of entry.

One of the bill’s sponsors cited fears that a lack of testing would help spread COVID-19 beyond border communities, although increasing vaccination rates across the U.S. are reducing overall risks. In a March 10 report headlined “No evidence migrants at border significantly spreading virus,” the Associated Press found that doctors near the border said a surge in immigration was “far from the biggest factor” in the continuing spread of the disease.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
US House of Represenatives Draft of bill requiring negative coronavirus tests for released migrants
Kevin McCarthy, Republican Leader Update on bill to test immigrants for COVID-19
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks Sponsor introduces REACT Act
AP News No evidence migrants at border significantly spreading virus
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Gigafact
Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.