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July 28, 2010
Is Illegal Immigration Bad for America’s Health?
Is Illegal Immigration Bad for America’s Health?
by Dr. Manny Alvarez
The simple answer is: Yes. If you look at the way that legal immigration is conducted around the world, it is always based on a set of checks and balances. One of those checks is the prevention of certain communicable diseases.
Here is a list of things people applying for visa/residency status in this country may be tested for during their physical exam as required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Tuberculosis
Syphilis (for applicants 15 years or older)
HIV (blood test)
Gonorrhea
Narcotic drug addiction
Physical or mental disorders with associated harmful behavior
Chancroid
Lymphogranuloma venerum
Granuloma inguinal
Under the immigration laws of the United States, a foreign national who applies for an immigrant visa abroad, or who seeks to adjust status to a permanent resident while in the U.S., is required to receive vaccinations to prevent the following diseases:
Mumps Measles-Rubella
Polio
Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids
Pertussis
Haemophilus influenzae type B
Hepatitis B
Any other vaccine-preventable diseases recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices
Now, this list is not just an American standard — you will find similar lists in most developed countries around the world. Without a system of checks and balances, we run the risk of having diseases that have otherwise been eradicated in this country coming back in a big way. When people travel here illegally, they could have the potential to spread certain diseases that could be very devastating to the general population.
Let’s take tuberculosis for instance. Active tuberculosis is a very dangerous communicable disease that is easily spread if someone is an active carrier. Early onset of tuberculosis may not have any warning signs, and yet it could develop into a full-blown case of the disease, as we have seen happen many times over the last decade in this country. One of the scariest things about tuberculosis, is that there are now many strains of the disease that are resistant to the current medical treatments.
The prevalence of other diseases like malaria and Chagas disease – which is a parasitic infection in the blood stream – are being seen more frequently in areas of the country where some of these diseases were not present before. In the case of Chagas disease, more and more blood banks are testing for this parasite since it can be transmitted inadvertently during a routine blood transfusion. If infected blood happens to be given to patient with a compromised immune system, the consequences can be deadly.
I’m not here to argue what the best solution is for immigration laws in this country. My family and I are certainly beneficiaries of having the opportunity to come to this country and embrace the American dream. However, I do know that whatever immigration policy this administration decides to implement, a non-compromising point must be that the health of the American people be protected, because if we do not protect the health of our citizens, the long-term effects could be dangerous.
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Wild Thing's comment.......
The average American has no idea about the true societal cost of illegal aliens from 3rd World countries, it is immeasurable.
....Thank you Mark for sending this to me.
Mark
3rd Mar.Div. 1st Battalion 9th Marine Regiment
1/9 Marines aka The Walking Dead
VN 66-67
Posted by Wild Thing at July 28, 2010 05:47 AM
Comments
Will these issues be addressed in obama's lawsuit ? With no effective Border Security isn't that neglecting National Security ? In order to ensure obama's re election they are willing to sacrifice the health of the nation. This is just another impeachable offense.
Posted by: Mark at July 28, 2010 11:50 AM
Mark, ditto all you said. You are so right Obama is willing to sacrifice the health of the nation.
Posted by: Wild Thing at July 29, 2010 03:19 AM
