By Maribel Velazquez
The Centers for Disease Management and Prevention (CDC) expanded their powers to restrict the entry into United States territory of people considered a health risk, now including legal permanent residents or Green Card holders who have recently been in countries affected by the current Ebola outbreak in Africa.
The new provision, published as a temporary emergency rulestates that those who have traveled in the last 21 days to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan could be temporarily prevented from entering the United States until mid-June.
Politico reported that the decision is part of an expansion of the health restrictions already applied to foreign travelers due to the outbreak of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, considered one of the most complex variants because there is no vaccine or treatment approved specifically to combat it.
CDC expands “public health” restrictions
Although the measure does not imply a permanent ban, it does give the CDC greater discretion to deny entry even to legal residents of the United States under public health arguments.
“The rule does not permanently prohibit legal permanent residents from returning to the United States”the agency explained in an official statement. “Gives CDC discretion to restrict entry when necessary and permitted by law.”
A US administration official, quoted anonymously by Politico, acknowledged that The implementation of the rule could generate “chaos and confusion” at airports and immigration points.
Currently, US citizens returning from affected areas must enter through Washington Dulles International Airport, where reinforced medical screening and epidemiological administration protocols are maintained.
Expansion of the Ebola outbreak is worrying
According to the CDC, The active outbreak already has more than 700 suspected cases and at least 150 probable deathsmainly in Congolese territory.
The World Health Organization (WHO) He also warned that the virus could have spread for months before being officially detected, because specific tests were not initially carried out to identify the Bundibugyo strain.
The new restrictions represent one of the most severe responses adopted by the United States to an Ebola outbreak since the health crisis recorded between 2014 and 2016 in West Africa, an emergency that left more than 11,000 dead and that directly affects those with Green Cards who wish to return home.
Keep reading:
- New USCIS rules: what you should review in May if you are waiting for a Green Card or work permit
- WHO recognizes alarm over “magnitude and speed” of Ebola outbreak in Congo
- The Green Card for marriage is under triple surveillance
