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Illegal immigrants not part of NE vaccination plan

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts says illegal immigrants will not receive COVID-19 vaccinations when they’re distributed to meat processing workers.

Ricketts held a press conference Monday outlining the state’s vaccine distribution plan. Food and agriculture workers are part of vaccine distribution phase 1B after people 75 and older, first responders and teachers.

Ricketts says he does not expect illegal immigrants to be among food workers to receive the vaccine.

“Again, you’re supposed to be a legal resident of the country to be able to be working in those plants so, I do not expect illegal immigrants will be part of the vaccine with that program.”

Nebraska meat processors employ more than 17,000 workers.

The COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan is still in phase 1A which prioritizes frontline healthcare workers.