Dr. Manny Alvarez Explains Why Illegal Immigration Is Bad for America’s Health

by Dr. Manny Alvarez

Dr. Manny Alvarez (foxnewshealth)

Is Illegal Immigration Bad for America’s Health?

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.

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.

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

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.

According to Vitals.com, Dr. Manny Alvarez is a board-certified OB/GYN in Hackensack, NJ.  He is also a managing editor for foxnewshealth.com.  Dr. Manny Alvarez completed his medical residency and fellowship training at St. Joseph Hospital & Medical Center and Mount Sinai Medical Center.

(Source: foxnewshealth.com)

Last updated by Margarita at August 6, 2010.

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