tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post4064255830725927797..comments2023-11-03T09:36:22.100-04:00Comments on In From the Cold: The Invisible Enemy WithinGeorge Smileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07049707648660651119noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10820485.post-57144601750109781062007-06-03T17:46:00.000-04:002007-06-03T17:46:00.000-04:00You raise some excellent points about TB screening...You raise some excellent points about TB screening. When my family and I came to the US in 1974, all-clear chest X-rays were part of the requirements one had to satsify in order to receive a green card and reside permanently in America. The rule applied equally to <I>everyone</I>: British immigrants (like us), Latin American, Asian, Caribbean, African, (etc.) families--anyone who wanted to live and work in the U.S.<BR/><BR/>I believe that draconian immigration laws cause millions of desperate people to take the easy way in, which is to say, to sneak across the border and live below the radar. Problem is, none of these people are accounted for, much less documented or X-rayed or tested for any other communicable diseases.<BR/><BR/>The current proposed plan completely ignores the health aspects of immigration, too--at least, no such language jumped out at me from the numerous excerpts I've read.<BR/><BR/>I'm one of those progressives who believe people who want to work and have a chance at a better life should be afforded that opportunity. But it's complete madness to think that we can make people who are already here, Stateside, step out of the shadows of their cash-paying jobs with construction conglomerates, hotel chains, and restaurant chains (to name just a few of the large corporate interests with large illegal labor forces) and willingly go back to Mexico for a "touch back" visit, pay a fine that is arguably more than any of them can afford, and re-apply to re-enter. Not when they can simply stay put and keep on keeping on.<BR/><BR/>If we're serious about helping immigrants, reforming immigration law, AND addressing the public health concerns that are, increasingly, going to keep knocking us in the head (or lungs, as it were), we need a much better, smarter, more humane, and more comprehensive immigration bill than the one that's currently being bandied about.Deborah Newellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02527317477388626268noreply@blogger.com