Amish community threatens New York exodus over vaccine mandate legal battle

The Amish community in New York, numbering approximately 25,000, has threatened a mass exodus from the state due to an ongoing legal battle over vaccine mandates. The dispute, centered on the case Miller v. McDonald, is heading to the Supreme Court.

The conflict stems from a 2019 decision by former Governor Andrew Cuomo to rescind religious exemptions for school vaccine mandates following a measles outbreak. As a result, the New York State Department of Health has issued fines totaling at least $118,000 to several small Amish parochial schools for refusing to comply with vaccination requirements for students.

Hiram Sasser, the attorney representing six plaintiffs, argued that the case serves as a litmus test for religious liberty and tolerance within the United States.