http://www.postchronicle.com/commentary ... 9447.shtml

Who Is To Blame For Illegal Immigrants?
by Jack Ward

Whenever the subject of illegal immigrants comes up, there are those that want to place blame. The popular culprits are the businesses that hire illegals. They are characterized as greedy opportunists that reap huge profits from the sweat of the illegals. It is common knowledge that the agricultural, food processing, restaurant, textile, construction businesses are major employers of illegals. While some of the criticism may be warranted, businesses aren't the only culprit.

When we want to place blame for the flood of illegal immigrants, we need to look at ALL of those that aid and abet illegal immigration.

First we can start with past and current Presidents, Congress, and Courts. As the Commander in Chief, Presidents are expected to follow the Constitution and enforce all enacted immigration laws. All modern Presidents have failed. The Congress is expected to enact immigration laws that protect the sovereignty of the nation. All modern Congresses have failed. The Courts are expected to ensure that all laws enacted protect the citizens and meet Constitutional standards. By inventing 'rights' for those that are here illegally -- the Courts have failed.

Sanctuary Cities have been a significant factor in increasing the flood of illegal immigration and they aren't punished for ignoring immigration laws. Back in the 1980's, feel-good politicians in cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco implemented Sanctuary City policies. The mayors and city councils put themselves above the interests of the all the citizens of the U.S. when they created Sanctuary Cities. The Sanctuary City policies prevent local law enforcement officers from checking or reporting a suspects' immigration status. The firewall between local police and federal immigration authorities prevents local police from assisting federal immigration law enforcement officers in arresting convicted felons that have illegally reentered the United States. These policies allow illegal aliens to roam the Sanctuary Cities without fear of apprehension.

Banks and other financial organizations are making a fortune handling money transfers from illegals sending money back home. The charge for the international money transfers has been 10 to 20 percent of the amount of money sent. That is an extremely high price for immigrants to pay to send money home. According to the Bank of Mexico, the nation's central bank, money sent from the U.S. to Mexico by immigrants is averaging a billion dollars a month. The money sent back home by immigrants is one of Mexico's largest sources of income, right up there with oil, industry and travel.
It is also common knowledge that illegals and children of illegals have overloaded our schools. These children make up a significant number of the U.S. public school students. That represents real cost increases and education challenges. The education industry complains that if they identify illegal students, it would frighten them away from the schools. And that would mean less money for the education industry.

Our hospitals are under a tremendous strain because of the invasion of illegal immigrants. Federal law requires hospitals to provide emergency care for anyone who seeks it, regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. So with all this free medical care, it is no surprise that illegals are flooding emergency rooms, because they can't afford to see a doctor. As a result, hospitals all over the country are forced to close or cut back services because they are overloaded with illegals. The Association of Hospitals says that California's public health system is 'on the brink of collapse'.

It is obvious that the medical care given to illegals is forcing hospitals and other medical services to close. Since 1993, over 60 California hospitals closed because half of the services provided were unpaid. According to the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons, these closures are caused by the illegals. About 30% of the costs were for child births for 'anchor babies' to illegals. Illegals are also bringing diseases into the U.S. that had been totally eliminated decades ago. Diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, leprosy, plague, and polio are now being carried into the U.S. by the illegal immigrants.

It is easy to understand why businesses are criticized for the flood of illegal immigrants, but why are politicians, cities, banks, schools and hospitals immune from any criticism for the illegal immigrant problem? It appears that these entities are too powerful and politically connected to be punished. Until there is uniform responsibility and punishment, the illegal immigration problem will not be solved.