Registered Voter Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> The Equal Protection Clause has been invoked in a
> number of circumstances similar ot this. So if the
> US were to provide health care to all citizens,
> then by extension they could not exclude coverage
> to anyone - including illegal aliens.
>
>
http://salempress.com/store/samples/us_immigration
> _history/us_immigration_naturalization.htm
>
> But I also believe they will do an end run in the
> immigration reform they are working on that will
> grant them "lawful" status in the country. A work
> VISA is being in the country "lawfully", so if
> they grant them temporary work VISA status, that
> will most likely meet the requirement.
>
> Senate Democrats Address Immigration
>
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/artic
> le/2009/06/24/AR2009062402244.html
I think you are trying to over-simplify which blurs the lines. Immigration laws are separate and apart and the laws are clear that temporary GUEST VISA workers are NOT entitled to the same benefits as citizens or legal residents.
There was a discussion about this very topic about a week ago, differentiating between temporary GUEST visa workers and long term legal residents. Both are lawfully in the US, but their rights are very different.
GUEST VISA workers rights, while "lawfully" working in the US, are spelled out in the Immigation laws. In all instances, Guest Visas are assigned to an employer or sponsor who agrees to support the guest while in their charge.
At this time, there is no middle of the road, either one is a GUEST VISA worker, or they are not in the country lawfully. The only way your concept of "lawful status" would work is if Congress changes the laws to allow anyone who comes to the US to work, without a visa, is automatically entitled to the same rights and benefits as a citizen after "flying under the radar" for a specific period of time.
Basically, this is what is happening today, resulting from a failure to enforce our laws. If it were a non-issue Americans would not be divided on this hot-button issue and such a law might pass through.
But that isn't the case. It IS a hot-button issue; Obama and Congress will do their best to circumvent immigration laws by rewarding illegal aliens not only with a path to citizenship but a key to the Medicaid castle. The only way they can do this is with yet another amnesty and I really don't think that is going to happen.
It was a good theory though RV
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/13/2009 07:49AM by RestonLass.