When all else fails, blame the immigrants. It is a time tested, proven strategy that has been around since the beginning of our nation. Most of our social and economic woes have been blamed on them in one form or another. Immigrants are easy targets.
It was not a surprise when Rep. Joe Wilson, from South Carolina, shouted: "You lie!" when President Barack Obama brought up the topic of illegal immigrants in his health care address to Congress by saying, "There are those who claim our reform efforts would insure illegal immigrants - this too is false."
Let's assume, however, for a moment that Wilson was right, that there is no language in the health care bills that denies coverage to illegal immigrants.
Is such a policy really that bad? If the goals of health care reform are to provide affordable and accessible coverage for the well-being of individuals, families and communities, then it makes sense to make it available for all.
When it comes to diseases and pandemic outbreaks like the current H1N1 viruses, it really doesn't matter if you have a green card or not. Once exposed, everyone is at risk. In all instances, preventive medicine is less costly than emergency room care.
If there is language that excludes coverage for illegal immigrants, then the real issue is the verification process and the extra layer of bureaucracy it will cost to implement. It will be interesting to see the details of the Senate Finance Committee's version of the health bill that was released this past Wednesday.
Wilson's outburst is a prelude of what we can expect after Congress has voted on health care. On the horizon is a piece of legislation that is sure to stir much controversy and passion on both sides of the issue - comprehensive immigration reform.
U.S. Sen. Charles E. Schumer of New York, the Chairman of the Senate Immigration Subcommittee, has already put together some guiding principles he wants to see in a bill for immigration reform.
First and foremost, in the proposed legislation is border security with significant investments in infrastructure and technology and the increase of border personnel.
To discourage or eliminate the pool of jobs that attract illegal immigrants to the United States, a biometric-based employer verification system would be created.
Once a bill is passed, illegal immigrants present in the U.S must register with the government or face imminent deportation and begin a process of converting to legal status and eventually earning a path to citizenship. The core value of the new immigration system will be family reunification.
Immigration laws will be reviewed to attract the "world's best and brightest individuals," discouraging businesses from using less-expensive foreign labor to replace capable American workers.
The above recommendations are the guiding principles Schumer plans to use in the legislation when he introduces it to Congress later this year.
Earlier this month, a friend of mine traveled to Arizona and volunteered for a humanitarian group called No More Deaths. The group's mission is to end the loss of life and suffering of immigrants that travel north in the hot and barren desert along the Arizona/Mexican border.
For 2009, the death total is at 189 so far.
Over the course of a week, my friend, with a group of volunteers, hauled more than 600 gallons of water to drinking stations along dry dusty trails.
They encountered immigrants that had become disoriented, dehydrated, and sick. Some needed medical attention. Others begged for them to contact the border patrol.
The coyotes - human traffickers - they paid to aid them across the border told them that Los Angeles or Chicago was only a day's journey away. Most had already spent four or more days walking.
Some may interpret the efforts of humanitarian organizations like No More Deaths as encouraging illegal immigration by providing aid. To others, providing water to a thirsty human being is a moral obligation that cannot be ignored.
Whether or not health care reform is passed, and if it is, whether or not illegal immigrants have access to the new coverage guidelines, the need for immigration reform looms ahead.
The issue has not gone away in the 233 years since our nation was founded.
We have the opportunity, though, to make progress if we can stop blaming immigrants for every economic and social ill.
Mario Banuelos has lived in Morgan Hill for 19 years. He has served on the south County Dayworker Committee and is a member of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation. He is married and has four children.
Mario Bañuelos
Mario Bañuelos Mario Bañuelos has lived in Morgan Hill for 19 years. He has served on the South Valley Dayworker Committee and is a member of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation. He is married and has four children. Reach him at mbanuelos@charter.net.
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