UP Ibalon Bicol: illegal alien

Showing posts with label illegal alien. Show all posts

Hospital services overstretched by illegal immigrants

11/24/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Supported by taxpayers to give medical care to Americans and illegal immigrants alike, Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia suffers like other hospitals in the country from budget crunch. Its services have reached breaking point because of high volume of charity patients and dwindling money support.

After decades of humanitarian work spanning more than a hundred years, the hospital which provides dialysis for patients with end-stage renal problems has started cutting down services for lack funds, worrying patients who come regularly without any means to pay for treatment. Approximately $50,000 dollars are needed yearly to keep a patient alive for a year.

In October 4, 2009, the public hospital stopped its outpatient service, putting uncertainty on the survival of its regular clientele, mostly undocumented aliens. They are left to figure their next move to get healthcare right in the US territory or in their homeland.

“With limited exceptions, illegal immigrants are ineligible for public insurance programs like Medicaid and Medicare and often cannot afford private coverage. When major illness strikes, they have few options but to go to emergency rooms, which are required by federal law to treat anyone whose health is deemed in serious jeopardy…

Officials at Grady, which will provide more than $300 million in uncompensated care this year, estimate that as many as a fifth of its uninsured patients are illegal immigrants. Although the numbers are elusive, a national study by the RAND Corporation concluded that illegal immigrants account for about 1.3 percent of public health spending. “---New York Times (11/20/09)

With the economic downturn, America is now experiencing financial difficulty in supporting the health needs of about 10 million illegal immigrants among the 46 million who don’t have medical insurance benefits. When they become covered by the healthcare system, available medical services may not be enough to accommodate them. The deluge of patients can precipitate doctor and nurse shortages, making Pres. Barack Obama’s healthcare reform more contentious.

Because of the huge number of new holders of insurance benefits, elderly Americans, the disabled, and those with rare diseases and needing chronic care may be marginalized as services become scarce or trimmed down --something that is likely to happen when patients flood the system and cost-saving measures are implemented.

It is no surprise then that the public is confused and fearful. Citizens find it hard to digest the almost 1 trillion cost of the proposed healthcare reform bill that awaits deliberation in Capitol Hill after the Thanksgiving holiday. (Photo Credit: Benedicte destrus) =0=

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Labels: Health, healthcare reform, illegal alien, immigrants, medical insurance, Totie Mesia

Lou Dobbs resigns from CNN

11/12/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

CNN anchorman Lou Dobbs announced his decision to leave the cable network to seek new opportunities in furthering his advocacy on important issues of America. The long-time news TV personality started as a financial journalist. He later became an opinionated thinking man who informed and suggested solutions to the pressing issues for his viewers.

For many years he had been doing his advocacy work tackling topics which covered the economy, globalization, Afghanistan-Iraq war, healthcare, climate change, social security, capitalism, immigration, unemployment, education, and lack of public representation in Washington.

Dobbs had been a strident critic of illegal immigration which angered groups like Presente.org and BastaDobbs.com, online Hispanic organizations which campaign for his removal from CNN.

“CNN President Jon Klein in a statement hailed Dobbs' "appetite for big ideas, the megawatt smile and larger than life presence he brought to our newsroom."

"With characteristic forthrightness, Lou has now decided to carry the banner of advocacy journalism elsewhere," Klein said. "We respect his decision." ---AP/Huffington Post (11/11/09)

In his farewell appearance on Wednesday, November 11, 2009, Dobbs promised to be relentless in his pursuit for truth and deal with issues by focusing on solving problems analytically--- rather by be guided by partisanship and ideology. He committed himself to positively contribute to the understanding of the pressing issues of the day. In due time he will inform the public of his next step after his service in CNN. (Photo Credit: peacecrpsonline.com) =0=

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Labels: announcer, CNN, illegal alien, immigration, Lou Dobbs, Resignation, television, Totie Mesia, TV and radio

Migration tragedy: 21 dead and hundreds missing as boat sinks in Mediterranean sea

4/01/2009 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

In the cold waters off Libya, a frail fishing boat carrying about 250 aspiring migrants to Europe sank during stormy weather on Friday, March 27, 2009. At least 20 illegal aliens drowned and more than 200 hundred were reported missing. Mostly from Africa and Middle East, the victims were part of an undetermined number of illegal travelers who perish each year in their bid for a better life.

“Thousands of African, Asian and Middle Eastern migrants fleeing wars and poverty use Libya and other North African countries as a launching pads for the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean to southern Europe — often in rickety, overloaded boats. Another flimsy vessel with about 350 migrants was rescued about a day later in the same area where the fishing boat capsized.” AP (03/31/09, Fergany, AM; Santana, R)

Although 350 migrants in a second boat with no casualties were rescued and brought back to Tripoli, Jean-Philippe Chauzy of the International Organization of Migration (IOM) in Geneva, Switzerland said this sea mishap could be the biggest in terms of the number of dead and missing of a sea vessel leaving North Africa to Europe.

The cause of the sinking has not been known, but a Libyan police officer said the boat was overloaded, and bad weather could be a contributory factor. Some survivors however spoke of a hole that caused the boat to capsize.

The death of the migrants brings to light the growing problem of illegal immigration. In spite of efforts to curb unlawful movement of people in Europe, nationals from impoverished countries worldwide risk their lives in search for better economic opportunities.

Even those who travel with valid papers also face hardships and alienation in their search for jobs. A recent case is the humiliation and abuse by Chip Tsao, an arrogant HK journalist who disparagingly insulted overseas Filipinos whose country he referred to as “a nation of servants.” (Photo Credit: Holvic) =0=

RELATED BLOG: "New Immigration Laws Worry Illegal Aliens In Europe " Posted by mesiamd at 6/22/2008

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Labels: Africa, boat sinking, europe, ferry sinking, illegal alien, immigration, International Organization of Migration, Libya, Mediterranean, mishap, sea accident, sinking, Totie Mesia, travel, traveler

The legal immigration limbo & why playing by the rules is important

11/03/2008 | Posted by mesiamd | Edit Post

Mexican illegal immigrants in the United States range between 12 to 21 million. The problem is huge, but illegal immigration has taken a back seat away from the more important issues like the economy, homeland security and abortion.

The Republican and Democratic presidential candidates don’t focus on the immigration problem partly because they need the votes of immigrant-citizens. Both candidates have legalization plans for the gate-crashers of America whose number has become “unmanageable.” Obama has more perks for illegal aliens than McCain.

Against the wish of 75% of Americans, the country concedes that it can’t rationally keep the illegal aliens out. Many believe mass deportation isn’t a realistic option. In varying degrees, many politicians have become cozy with the illegal aliens mainly for their numbers and their votes (capacity to change the outcome of an election,) not because it is right thing to do.

In this backdrop people worldwide are waiting for their immigration papers to be adjudicated. Among them are those who have expected patiently for decades. They are frustrated with the extremely long wait. There are those who lose eligibility forcing them to change plans. Aging-out, marriage or death are among the reasons why others are unable to come. Some find ways to arrive illegally.

Abiding with the US immigration laws, those who apply for legal immigration obviously play by the rules. They deserve to be rewarded for siding with the law. Yet, in the waiting line, they are pushed aside.

Lacking fairness, their applications are decided slower than those of illegal aliens already in USA. Overstaying aliens enjoy the benefits of being in America way ahead of the legal applicants; they get higher priority in adjusting visa status.

Such injustice and disregard of standard rules are clearly illustrated in the visa delay shown in the November 2008 US visa bulletin issued by the USCIS. The waiting times to get an immigrant visa number from the Philippines under the 3rd and 4th preference family-based category is 17 years (05/08/91) and 22 years (03/22/86) respectively. They don't include the 6 months to 1 year time to iron out the requirements of immigration. That’s incredibly long time, but true!

Filipinos are distressed. With huge backlogs in various categories, the visas intended for them are allotted to legalize aliens who are already in USA. The sluggishness of the immigration process gives more incentive for people to slip unlawfully into the country's backdoor.

Think how polarizing these fixes are. It scares many law-abiding citizens when rules are tailored to suit a group at a disadvantage of another. Not only does the immigration service (INS) reward lawbreakers, they clearly frustrate the purpose of the legal family reunification enshrined in the immigration law.

The expedient decision favoring illegal aliens has been justified on humanitarian grounds, but UCIS/INS rarely gives this to those who have waited 20 years to become an immigrant. This is another area where the US tradition of fairness and compassion is wearing away. Americans have reasons to be worried of foreigners coming to USA who don't respect its laws. (Photo Credits: BHowdy; www.hedgerley.net; wanderingangel)

US STATE DEPARTMENT VISA BULLETIN, NOVEMBER 2008

FAMILY CATEGORIES PRIORITY DATES
--------Worldwide---China (PRC)---India-------Mexico-----Philippines
1st-----05-01-02--- 05-01-02--- 05-01-02--- 09-15-92---05-01-93
2A----- 02-08-04--- 02-08-04--- 02-08-04--- 07-15-01---02-08-04
2B----- 01-15-00--- 01-15-00--- 01-15-00--- 04-22-92---06-15-97
3rd-----07-01-00--- 07-01-00--- 07-01-00--- 09-15-92---05-08-91
4th-----11-15-97--- 06-08-97--- 07-22-97--- 01-22-95---03-22-86

EMPLOYMENT CATEGORIES PRIORITIY DATES
---------Worldwide---China (PRC)---India----Mexico----Philippines
1st--------Current---Current-------Current----Current---Current
2nd------- Current---06-01-04----06-01-03---Current---Current
3rd--------05-01-05---02-01-02---10-01-01---09-01-02---05-01-05
Unskilled---01-15-03---01-15-03---01-15-03---01-15-03---01-15-03
4th--------- Current------Current-----Current----Current----Current
Religious----UA---------UA-----------UA----------UA---------UA (unavailable)

Labels: Filipinos, illegal alien, immigration, medical insurance, Totie Mesia, USA, USCIS, Visa

UP Ibalon Bicol

Hospital services overstretched by illegal immigrants

Lou Dobbs resigns from CNN

Migration tragedy: 21 dead and hundreds missing as boat sinks in Mediterranean sea

The legal immigration limbo & why playing by the rules is important

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