The Scary Facts on Immigration Law and Disease

Immigration is a hot topic around the world, and the United States is no exception. Whenever immigration is being discussed, there are various viewpoints shared, and among those, one peculiar topic that stands out is the issue of diseases being brought into a country by immigrants. The subject has remained controversial for years and has continued to generate debates, leaving people to ponder on the authenticity of the claims made by critics of immigration.

Perhaps, it is essential to investigate the facts surrounding immigration law and disease to gain a better understanding of the issue. This article examines the facts and myth behind the claims and counterclaims that have been made about the relationship between immigration law and disease.

What is Immigration Law?

Immigration law refers to the rules and regulations that govern the entry of foreigners into a country. In the United States, immigration law is controlled by the federal government, and it affects people who seek to enter the country lawfully or unlawfully.

Immigration law in the United States is enforced by various agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

There are various categories of visas that apply to visitors to the United States including, immigrant, nonimmigrant, and parole. Immigrant visas are given to foreigners who wish to reside permanently in the US, while nonimmigrant visas are given to people who wish to visit the country temporarily for business or pleasure. Parole applies to people who are allowed into the country temporarily, especially in the case of humanitarian emergencies.

Is Immigration Associated with Higher Rates of Disease?

One of the common arguments that are used against immigration is that immigrants bring with them contagious diseases that can spread and cause harm to American citizens. The myth that immigration is associated with higher rates of disease has persisted for a long time, and it continues to be a subject of research and debate. While some people hold the conviction that immigrants pose a threat to public health, there is little evidence to support this claim.

According to David Dausey, dean of the Mercy College School of Health and Natural Science, There is no evidence that immigrants to the United States pose a threat to public health. In fact, in some cases, they may even be healthier than the average American.

Several studies conducted over the years have shown that immigration is not directly responsible for an increase in the prevalence of infectious diseases. For instance, a research paper published in the American Journal of Public Health that compared the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States and Canada found that the rate of TB in the United States was higher despite having a lower rate of immigration.

Another study that focused on HIV found that the prevalence of the virus in the US was higher compared to countries that have a higher rate of immigration such as Canada and Australia.

The Role of Public Health Agencies

Although it is true that diseases can be spread by immigrants, the public health agencies in the United States have mechanisms in place to prevent the spread of any infectious disease among the population. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for instance, works in tandem with the Department of Homeland Security, USCIS, and ICE to ensure that all immigrants coming into the country are screened for diseases that pose a threat to public health.

The CDC requires that all immigrants undergo medical examinations and screening for diseases such as tuberculosis, syphilis, and HIV before they are allowed into the United States. Additionally, immigrants who are identified as high-risk cases for diseases such as TB are required to undergo additional tests before they are cleared for entry.

The screening program is meticulously run with various protocols in place, which include tracking immigrants and refugees for up to five years after their arrival to monitor the prevalence of any infectious disease in the population.

Disease Screening at the US Border

To further enforce public safety and health, the United States government has introduced measures for screening people at the border, including testing for COVID-19. People who enter the country legally are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result before they can be allowed entry.

Moreover, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, non-citizens who are found to have contracted the virus while in the US are not charged for treatment, and their status will not be jeopardized. This action ensures that people who test positive for the virus are not afraid to seek medical care and encourages them to receive treatment to prevent the spread of the disease.

Moreover, the US government works in collaboration with its neighboring countries to monitor disease outbreaks and respond to prevent them from spreading across the border. For instance, the CDC works with health agencies in Mexico and Canada to prevent the spread of infectious disease among their populations.

Conclusion

The issue of immigration law and disease is a complex and often controversial topic. However, the facts show that there is little evidence to support the myth that immigrants bring with them higher rates of disease. While it is essential to ensure that immigrants are screened for infectious diseases before entering the United States, it is equally important to recognize the role played by public health agencies in preventing the spread of disease among the population.

Finally, it is crucial to note that diseases do not discriminate, and people from all walks of life can be affected. It is incumbent upon us all to take the necessary measures to protect our health and safety, regardless of our immigration status. The bottom line is that immigration law and disease is a topic that requires continued research and evaluation.

When the proliferation of the HIV virus and AIDS first manifested itself in the American consciousness decades ago, there was much confusion surrounding the nature of the virus and of its origin. While certainly great care must be shown towards those suffer from the ravages of AIDS, especially those who carry the virus and can transmit it to others, it should not be a source of stigma to the carrier nor should it prohibit him or her from enjoying the advantages that other people have.

Realistically, so much more is known about HIV and AIDS and how it can destroy lives than in the past. Yet, it was only recently that a change to USA immigration laws was brought about by the United States government regarding people who have tested HIV positive.

The latest immigration law to be amended in terms of popular practice is the lifting of a travel ban on those who carry HIV and wish to immigrate to the United States. This revision of USA immigration laws comes at the same time that another country, South Korea, is also doing away with this restriction.

This latest immigration law revision is a reversal of a precedent set 23 years ago by the Immigration and Naturalization Act, a division of USA immigration laws that was meant as a protective measure but ultimately proved to be discriminatory in nature. Worse yet, it seems that this latest immigration law reversal was not built on solid science.

The Immigration and Naturalization Act first brought forth in the 1980’s made potential immigrants inadmissible on the basis that HIV and AIDS were considered communicable diseases. The fact that the government could so simply turn this decision around speaks to the inaccuracy of the information that first informed it. The first new immigrant to feel the effects of the lifting of the ban under this latest immigration law amendment has already been identified as a man from the Netherlands, so it is certain that this modification to the rule is fully functional.

The modification of USA immigration laws, in terms of its place on the total world timeline, is among the latest. Immigration law will yet see other changes to this standard, however, as there are yet still nations who are upholding the ban on immigration for HIV-positive applicants.

The list of nations and territories still refusing to admit carriers of the HIV virus are Brunei, China, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Russia, Singapore, Sudan, United Arab Emirates and Yemen. In terms of the wait for carriers of the virus, 23 years is a long wait. Still, in terms of the staying power of some constitutional provisions, it is thankful that this discriminatory chapter of USA immigration laws closed so quickly.