Source: https://www.creators.com/read/walter-williams/08/18/immigrants-and-disease
August 29, 2018
The Immigration and Nationality Act mandates that all immigrants and refugees undergo a medical screening examination to determine whether they have an inadmissible health condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has technical instructions for medical examination of prospective immigrants in their home countries before they are permitted to enter the U.S. They are screened for communicable and infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, hepatitis, polio, measles, mumps and HIV. They are also tested for syphilis, gonorrhea and other sexually transmitted diseases. The CDC also has medical screening guidelines for refugees. These screenings are usually performed 30 to 90 days after refugees arrive in the United States.
But what about people who enter our country illegally? The CDC specifically cites the possibility of the cross-border movement of HIV, measles, pertussis, rubella, rabies, hepatitis A, influenza, tuberculosis, shigellosis and syphilis. Chris Cabrera, a Border Patrol agent in South Texas, warned: "What's coming over into the U.S. could harm everyone. We are starting to see scabies, chickenpox, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections and different viruses." Some of the youngsters illegally entering our country are known to be carrying lice and suffering from various illnesses. Because there have been no medical examinations of undocumented immigrants, we have no idea how many are carrying infectious diseases that might endanger American children when these immigrants enter schools across our nation.
According to the CDC, in most industrialized countries, the number of cases of tuberculosis and the number of deaths caused by TB steadily declined during the 100 years prior to the mid-1980s. Since the '80s, immigrants have reversed this downward trend in countries that have had substantial levels of immigration from areas where the disease is prevalent. In 2002, the CDC said: "Today, the proportion of immigrants among persons reported as having TB exceeds 50 percent in several European countries, including Denmark, Israel, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. A similar proportion has been predicted for the United States" (http://tinyurl.com/yca3y3zs). The number of active TB cases among American-born citizens declined from an estimated 17,725 in 1986 to 3,201 in 2015. That was an 80 percent drop. Data reported to the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System show that the TB incidence among foreign-born people in the United States (15.1 cases per 100,000) is approximately 13 times the incidence among U.S.-born people (1.2 cases per 100,000). Those statistics refer to immigrants who are legally in the U.S. There is no way for us to know the incidence of tuberculosis and other diseases carried by those who are in our country illegally and hence not subject to medical examination.
This public health issue is ignored by all those Americans championing sanctuary cities. The public health issue is also ignored by Americans clamoring for open borders, and that includes many of my libertarian friends. By the way, in the late 19th century and early 20th century, when masses of European immigrants were trying to enter our country, those with dangerous diseases were turned back from Ellis Island. Americans hadn't "progressed" to the point of thinking that anyone in the world has a legal right to live in America. Neither did they think that it was cruel or racist to take measures to prevent our fellow Americans from catching diseases from foreigners.
But aside from diseases, there is the greater threat of welcoming to our shores people who have utter contempt for Western values and want to import anti-Western values to our country, such as genital mutilation, honor killings and the oppression of women. Many libertarian types make the argument that we would benefit from open borders when it comes to both people and goods. That vision ignores the important fact that when we import, say, tomatoes from Mexico, as opposed to people, to the U.S., they are not going to demand that we supply them with welfare benefits.
The bottom line is that we Americans have a right to decide who enters our country and under what conditions. If we forgo that right, we cease to be a sovereign nation. But that may not be important to some Americans.
Walter E. Williams is a professor of economics at George Mason University. To find out more about Walter E. Williams and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.
Health Screening Is Yet Another Benefit to Keeping the Caravan in Tijuana By Andrew R. Arthur
Source: https://cis.org/Arthur/Health-Screening-Yet-Another-Benefit-Keeping-Caravan-TijuanaNovember 29, 2018
In my last post, I detailed the benefits of keeping the caravan of over 5,000 migrants, mostly from Central American countries, in Tijuana. Recent news brings a new one: health concerns amongst that group.
On November 29, 2018, Fox News reported, as its headline states: "One-third of migrants in caravan are being treated for health issues, Tijuana health official says". That article begins with a shocking claim: "Migrants who came with the caravan are suffering from respiratory infections, tuberculosis, chickenpox and other serious health issues, Tijuana's Health Department warned on Thursday morning."
Specifically, Fox News indicates that the health department spokesman stated that out of the 6,000 migrants who were in the city of Tijuana, "over a third of them (2,267) are being treated for health-related issues," including "three confirmed cases of tuberculosis, four cases of HIV/AIDS and four separate cases of chickenpox." In addition, more than 100 of those individuals have lice, and several have skin infections. While this is shocking, it is also somewhat unsurprising.
This particular caravan originated in Honduras, although not all of the migrants are Honduran. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provides a webpage captioned: "Health Information for Travelers to Honduras, Clinician View". Among the vaccinations that CDC recommends travelers to Honduras obtain before leaving for that trip are Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, rabies (particularly for children and outdoor explorers), and typhoid (especially for those travelers staying with friends and relatives, and visiting villages and rural areas where travelers could be exposed through food or water, as well as unspecified travelers "prone to 'adventurous eating'").
As I noted in a November 26 post:
Not to be too basic about the whole thing, but our immigration system is premised on the idea that foreign nationals are to be prescreened abroad, and that those who are eligible are given visas (either nonimmigrant or immigrant) to enter the United States if they are not otherwise inadmissible.
After that prescreening, they are screened again by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers before they are allowed into the United States. This two-level screening process ensures that aliens who are admitted to the United States are coming here for the purpose that they claim, that they are able to support themselves in this country, that they are not criminals, and that they do not pose a danger to the people of the United States (both citizens and nationals of the United States and other aliens lawfully admitted), among other grounds. People who claim that the immigration system is "broken" usually don't understand this process, or simply ignore it.
That is the rule, and it explains the expedited removal process well. If you want to come to the United States, get a visa and enter legally. If you fail to do so, Congress has stated, you should be removed as quickly as possible.
I failed to note in that post the first ground of inadmissibility to the United States: "health-related grounds" under section 212(a)(1)(A)of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). That provision states, in pertinent part:
Any alien—
(i) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to have a communicable disease of public health significance;
(ii) except as provided in subparagraph (C), who seeks admission as an immigrant, or who seeks adjustment of status to the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, and who has failed to present documentation of having received vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases, which shall include at least the following diseases: mumps, measles, rubella, polio, tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, pertussis, influenza type B and hepatitis B, and any other vaccinations against vaccine-preventable diseases recommended by the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices,
(iii) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in consultation with the Attorney General)—
(I) to have a physical or mental disorder and behavior associated with the disorder that may pose, or has posed, a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the alien or others, or
(II) to have had a physical or mental disorder and a history of behavior associated with the disorder, which behavior has posed a threat to the property, safety, or welfare of the alien or others and which behavior is likely to recur or to lead to other harmful behavior, or
(iv) who is determined (in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services) to be a drug abuser or addict, is inadmissible.
The referenced exception relates to adopted children 10 years of age or younger, and there is a waiver of these grounds in section 212(g) of the INA. Again, that waiver is generally sought through the visa and admissions process.
This is not some novel ground of inadmissibility promulgated by the Trump administration. As the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Policy Manual states:
Public health concerns have been reflected in U.S. immigration law since the Immigration Act of 1882. Among others, "persons suffering from a loathsome or a dangerous contagious disease" were not allowed to enter the United States.
Or, to put it in more popular terms, this was the ground for which young Vito Corleone was detained upon his arrival in the United States in 1901 in The Godfather Part II, as the University of Michigan helpfully points out in its "The Godfather Timeline Expanded Summary", which states: "At Ellis Island Vito's name is officially changed to Vito Corleone. He is quarantined for three months because he has small pox."
Plainly, treating the caravan migrants for their various diseases and ailments puts a strain on Mexican government authorities, but at least it puts in place a screening process for those third-country nationals before they come to the United States. The cost of care also provides an incentive for the Mexican government to enforce its own southern border.
This latter point is not meant to be flippant or dismissive. It has been my experience that transit countries generally act in their own interest as it relates to third-country nationals who are passing through their territory, and Mexico is no different.
Moreover, Mexico's enforcement of its southern border will have an additional benefit as it relates to both that country and potential migrants: It will limit corruption and protect the migrants' safety. In an October 25, 2018, post captioned "An Incredibly Violent Journey to the United States, The perils of illegal immigration", I talked about a "report ... by Doctors Without Borders (commonly known by its French acronym "MSF") ... captioned 'Forced to Flee Central America's Northern Triangle: A Neglected Humanitarian Crisis'.
Among the findings I referenced was the following:
MSF patients reported that the perpetrators of violence included members of gangs and other criminal organizations, as well as members of the Mexican security forces responsible for their protection.
[Emphasis added.]
Deterring aliens from undertaking the risky journey through Mexico by Mexican border enforcement will prevent the harms that MSF report describes, and remove incentives for Mexican security forces to engage in abuses.
It will also reduce the number of aliens claiming credible fear in the United States.
One-third of migrants in caravan are being treated for health issues, Tijuana health official says
Source: https://www.foxnews.com/world/caravan-migrants-suffer-from-respiratory-infections-tuberculosis-chickenpox-other-health-issues-tijuana-government-saysBy Lukas Mikelionis, Griff Jenkins | Fox News
Migrants who came with the caravan are suffering from respiratory infections, tuberculosis, chickenpox and other serious health issues, Tijuana's Health Department warned on Thursday morning.
The spokesman told Fox News that out of 6,000 migrants currently residing in the city, over a third of them (2,267) are being treated for health-related issues.
There are three confirmed cases of tuberculosis, four cases of HIV/AIDS and four separate cases of chickenpox, the spokesman said.
At least 101 migrants have lice and multiple instances of skin infections, the department’s data shows.
There’s also a threat of Hepatitis outbreak due to unsanitary conditions, the spokesman said. The thousands of migrants are being sheltered at the Benito Juarez Sports Complex near the San Ysidro U.S.-Mexico Port of Entry, despite the place being capable of providing for 1,000 people.
The location also has only 35 portable bathrooms. A sign reading “No Spitting” was put up, as coughing and spitting by migrants are rampant in the shelter.
Tijuana Mayor Juan Manuel Gastelum said Tuesday that the city has enough money to assist the migrants only for a few more days, with the city saying it’s spending around $30,000 a day.
“We won’t compromise the resources of the residents of Tijuana,” Gastelum said during a press conference. “We won’t raise taxes tomorrow to pay for today’s problem.”
Amid the problems and dire living conditions, some migrants are reportedly self-deporting. Approximately 80 self-deported Tuesday while another 98 were deported by Mexican immigration officials for their involvement in Sunday’s demonstrations that turned violent.
Others have chosen to accept offers of temporary work and asylum from Mexico, yet most still remain committed to entering the U.S.
Fox News’ Greg Norman contributed to this report.
The Caravan Is A Threat To Americans In More Ways Than One By Dr. Nan Hayworth
Source: https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2018/12/10/the-caravan-is-a-threat-to-americans-in-more-ways-than-one/December 10, 2018
Among the many humanitarian concerns raised by the caravan attempting to cross our southern border is one that poses an alarming risk to the health of our communities: many caravaners have serious illnesses, including communicable diseases.
As a physician who served as a Member of Congress, I know how important it is to take this troubling fact into account as President Trump works with Congress to resolve the current crisis and to address the glaring deficiencies in our immigration policy. When those determined to oppose the President ignore or minimize public-health risks, they hurt not only Americans, but also the caravaners themselves.
When Democrats and media commentators deride the enforcement of our immigration laws and border integrity as “racist,” they’re not only being dishonest, but also irresponsible. A Tijuana Health Department official recently told Fox News that 2,267 of the 6,000 caravaners are suffering from serious health issues, including four confirmed cases of HIV/AIDS; four cases of chickenpox; three cases of tuberculosis; and more than 100 skin infections and lice infestations.
Identifying and addressing health hazards is neither controversial or dehumanizing; in fact, it’s already required by law, and rightly so, for anyone seeking to immigrate to the United States to undergo evaluation to ensure they’re not exposing Americans to communicable diseases.
Sadly, the alarming health conditions within the caravan aren’t surprising.
Honduras, the birthplace of the current caravan, struggles to deal with an array of illnesses so dangerous that our own Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises prospective travelers to undergo multiple precautionary vaccinations before visiting the country.
Allowing caravaners with serious illnesses to enter the United States without the health certification required of those who seek to immigrate legally will expose Americans to disease risks from which our laws have been designed to protect them.
Beyond that sensible and lifesaving precaution, we must also, reasonably and rationally, take into account the cost of providing healthcare to thousands of people when our infrastructure is already strained. A 2018 report for Forbes prepared by Chris Conover, a scholar at Duke University’s Center for Health Policy and Inequalities Research, explains that Americans “cross-subsidize health care for unauthorized immigrants to the tune of $18.5 billion a year.”
Aside from the glaring fact that the Democrats’ signature healthcare law, Obamacare, has already added to the burdens on all of us who pay higher taxes and health-insurance premiums for our own medical care–shouldn’t we be devoting that $18.5 billion a year to assure that our veterans who’ve been neglected by the Veterans Administration, that President Trump’s working hard to reform, receive the care they’ve earned and deserve?
Democrats claim to care about aspiring immigrants, but taking a thoughtless approach to what should be an orderly process is actually a callous and cynical dereliction of responsibility to everyone involved:
–the caravaners who journey hundreds of miles on foot under perilous conditions;
–the communities in Mexico forced to harbor thousands of sick and desperate people who don’t belong there;
–the communities in the United States put at risk by those who enter illegally; –and all the Americans, like our veterans, who desperately need the resources that would be consumed in housing, feeding, educating, and providing for the short- and long-term needs of today’s caravaners as well as those who will be encouraged by their “success” to follow them in future.
True compassion requires that we fix our broken immigration system. We need laws, infrastructure, and processes that will allow aspiring migrants to enter our country in a fair and orderly way, and that will allow for the needs of Americans, rightly, to take priority.
President Trump understands this—but, as conscientious as he’s been, he can’t solve these problems on his own. Congress must act. The health and safety of our communities, and of those beyond our borders, depend on it.
Dr. Nan Hayworth is an ophthalmologist and former Congresswoman for New York’s 19th congressional district.
