The Department of Homeland Security advocates in support of equal access to the COVID-19 vaccine to all, including those living in the country without legal permission and those in underserved communities.
DHS said Monday that in compliance with law and policy, it is committed to getting the vaccine to all who need it- regardless of their race, ethnicity, nationality, etc.
"It is a moral and public health imperative to ensure that all individuals residing in the United States have access to the vaccine. DHS encourages all individuals, regardless of immigration status, to receive the COVID-19 vaccine once eligible under local distribution guidelines," the DHS said in a statement.
Want to Get on a Vaccine Waitlist?
County health departments have launched waitlists for adults 16 years old and over.
You can register to recieve the vaccination in Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties. Links are below:
Waitlist Links: Collin - Search Waitlist | Dallas | Denton | Tarrant
You do not need to be a resident of the county to register for a COVID-19 vaccine in that county -- registration is open to anyone in Texas. For those without internet access, Tarrant County is also taking registrations by phone at 817-248-6299. In Dallas County, call the DCHHS vaccine hotline at 1-855-IMMUNE9 (1-855-466-8639). In Denton County, call 940-349-2585.
For a more detailed breakdown of who is included in each priority group in Texas, see this page from the Texas DSHS.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has an action plan in place to ensure the protection of those requesting vaccines. This plan includes creating and maintaining fixed facilities, introducing pop-up or temporary vaccination sites, and providing mobile vaccination sites.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection will not be permitted to enforce anything at or near any vaccine distribution sites.
This is a part of ICE’s location policy that states that ICE cannot and will not enforce anything at or near health care facilities unless the matter is extremely extraordinary.
DHS is pushing for all people currently in the United States to get vaccinated as soon as people are eligible under local distribution guidelines.
