Immigration and the Healthcare Debate

In a heated response to a Seattle Times article, one letter to the editor let loose on the current state of illegal immigrants and their desire to have healthcare. The writer sees this as a way of taking away American citizens healthcare, just as they take away American jobs. She explains that all of the jobs they provide are jobs that Americans want to do, and that the elderly, veteran and poor populations of this country are in need of support that they cannot receive because people are too focused on immigrants needs. She defines that these undocumented immigrants have already broken many laws to be here, and deserve to be shipped back as soon as possible. While I feel that these arguments seem to be valid, they are all coming from a very emotional and unconvincing angle that doesn't seem to be looking at the bigger picture. If American citizens were willing to do these jobs, jobs that are often offered at less than minimum wage with little or no benefits whatsoever, then I feel that I would see a lot more Americans in these job positions. The issue is not only the influx of immigrants and their desire for work, it is also that American companies have no qualms about exploiting their dire situations and their vulnerable social status. Also, if she is concerned about the needs of the elderly and veterans it is likely that she would know that Medicare and Medicaid programs support these populations using tax payer money. Most immigrants are young, labor-aged, and contribute greatly to the tax-paying population, often without receiving any of the benefits themselves. When looking at these issues there needs to be a focus on the bigger picture. What impact do undocumented citizens REALLY have, why are they so eager to leave their home, what kinds of social injustices might be going on there that makes an illegal and dangerous life here better, and because the issue is already a reality how can we handle it, rather than throw out suggestions like, "Enough is enough!", that give no potential solution.

Letter to the editor, "Enough is Enough", published October 12, 2009 concerning the previous Seattle Times article, "Anti-immigrant venom mars health-care debate” [Oct. 7]