Officials oppose loosening rules for asylum seekers’ unvaccinated children to attend NYC schools

New York (WABC)—— As New York City public schools reopen this week, thousands of immigrant asylum-seeking children will start attending classes.

These students will not face the same vaccination requirements as the Department of Education works to expedite their entry into classrooms.

Staten Island Borough President Vito Fucella is concerned it could endanger the health of other children. While the policy exception exists to make life and access to the school system easier for immigrants, it is risky and hypocritical, Fussella said.

On Saturday, a group led by Fucella opposed the exception to the school vaccination rule, calling it a problematic double standard.

“We think that if you’re going to impose a standard on the average citizen, the same standard should apply to individuals who come from 120 different countries and want to go to school on their first day,” Fussella said.

This year alone, more than 20,000 immigrant children are expected to enter the New York City public school system.

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