Swine Time for Real Border Control?
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immigration reform as public health issue
With 42 cases reported in 5 states so far, the US has declared a public health emergency over the rapidly expanding swine flu outbreak that seems to have originated from Mexico. The CDC confirmed that the suspected cases among students at a New York Catholic high school who had recently returned from a trip to Mexico were in fact the swine flu. Thousands have been infected in Mexico, with over 149 deaths so far. Cases have also been reported in Canada, France, Spain, Brazil, Israel, and New Zealand. The threat of a true global pandemic looms.
Considering all of the legitimate business and personal travel across a long and busy border, it may well have been inevitable that a health crisis like this would find its way from Mexico into the US. Nevertheless, it begs the question: should this recent outbreak be seen by the US as yet another reason to finally get serious about border control?
Let me make perfectly clear that I have a great affection for Mexico and its people, and that I am very much in favor of (legal) immigration. The question at hand is one of national security.
In addition to the threats of crime, drugs, and terrorism, the spread of infectious disease and other biological dangers should be given a greater due in consideration of border control and immigration issues. This relates directly to the issue of illegal immigration, which continues to be a crucial unresolved problem. Although it may be practically impossible to completely control the spread of disease across borders short of total military lockdown, the fact is that legal, regulated points of entry provide opportunities to recognize and limit the spread of disease while illegal immigration all but ensures that problems like this will grow and affect more people in more countries.
If political and economic stability and protection from crime and terrorism are not enough to motivate our elected officials to get serious about border control and immigration reform, then maybe the health and well-being of their constituencies will be.
Unfortunately, I doubt it.
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Comments
I don't understand how illegal immigration from Mexico to the United States has anything significant to do with swine flu. We live in a globalized world. Unless you are going to also prevent all travel and transport between the two countries, the illegal immigrants are just a drop in the bucket. (Not that I'm on their side, but swine flu is really not their fault.)
I see what you are saying, but I think I addressed those points in the hub.
You did briefly, but then what is the point of the hub?
To raise and consider issues related to border control and public health.
TK, this problem will not be solved until we get cooperation from both the president and the Congress to stop passing mandates that do not get funded; as a Texas journalist who covered politics, government and crime in Houston, I've done my share of border stories and can tell you nobody down here thinks it will happen. And I wouldn't hold my breath.
President Bush allowed the virtual wall, passed by both houses and signed in the Oval Office, to die by allowing it to become an unfunded mandate and I am certain President Obama hasn't thought twice about border security since become president.
I fear if anything things will get worse under President Obama.
New thought on an old question! But...the poor Border Patrol guys...they can't REALLY do their job! We'll just keep paying...paying...regretful problem all the way around.
I'm afraid you're right
This is a serious question, immigration is always the thorny issue. Can Omaba deliver on his claims? H'mm. interesting hub! Thanks! I'm a fan.
Thanks. I don't hold out much hope that Obama will do anything but make the illegal immigration problem worse I'm afraid. We'll see.
A very timely and interesting Hub, even though I am reading it several months after its publication. Not, however, very politically correct! You're spot on about America's susceptability to infectious diseases. With the influx of illegal aliens, primarily from Latin America although certainly from around the rest of the world, America daily plays Russian Roulette with diseases returning to our land that were eradicated from the general population years ago! One devastating outbreak of polio, smallpox, leprosy, measles, malaria or other vanquished contagions could permanently scar our youngest generation.
Swine flu has got much worst since you wrote this hub, still you address a big problem for the government. I feel if our politicians really care about illegal aliens coming into the country, if they did care they would allow the police to arrest illegals when caught, charged a fine and then deported. I can not understand why we can't control the borders when we have satelites that can read a lic. place on a car, don't tell me that by using those satelites to monitor the border and sending agents to stop a break couldn't stop illegals in their tracks. Good Hub, and thanks for becoming a fan I also join your fan club.
You're absolutely right. The biggest obstacle to border control is a lack of political will.
nice hub.. very informative.. thanks for joining my fan club.
My wife and I live about a mile from the border in a semi-remote, rural area. We know that at least the line officers are doing what they can...since the highest traffic count on our dirt street belongs to Border Patrol vehicles more days (and nights) than not. Plus their chopper rolls overhead at any hour.
When the sound overhead clearly belongs to a small, single engine plane well after dark with no lights showing and running either directly north or directly south, we assume it's the smugglers.
Peggy W says:
8 months ago
I doubt it also.......sadly!