When the ACA was passed, it was alleged that health care prices would decrease and that millions of lower-income Americans would benefit. Unsurprisingly, the cost of health care shot up, because the government is incapable of creating programs that break even or make a profit. The ACA has evolved into another inefficient mammoth bureaucracy that is similar to an albatross around the necks of hardworking taxpayers. California taxpayers will be adversely affected by these added benefits because there are many Dreamers living in the state.
Dreamers are the youngsters who came into the United States illegally and have been living here without proper immigration documents for years. Some of their parents or sponsors have legal papers that would facilitate the process toward permanent residency status and eventual citizenship only for themselves. While it might be natural for some folks to empathize with the limbo status of Dreamers, they did enter the country unlawfully and are already benefiting from numerous tax-funded social services on the job or in school.
This newest executive action hasn’t passed congressional muster, so it could be challenged prior to going into effect on Nov. 1. While some believe that all of the Dreamers should have a permanent fix to their status and receive health entitlements, and they often laud the values of equity and social justice, where is the justice for citizens and legal immigrants who have to fund government health care programs?
A Better Course of Action
Instead of providing health care benefits to unlawful immigrants, taxpayer dollars ought to be spent on the needs of citizens and legal immigrants who play by the rules and understand that any entitlements must be earned. Indeed, Americans contribute to Medicare and Social Security with their taxed income.
For the past few years, Californians have been struggling under the weight of persistent inflation, housing costs, the overall cost of living, and the problems of crime and homelessness. A large part of the problem is generated by government debt and deficit spending on ineffective social programs instead of infrastructure needs and law enforcement. Why should hardworking Americans be coerced into subsidizing the lifestyle of illegal immigrants who disrespect ordered liberty and sovereign borders?
All of this nonsense could stop if existing immigration laws were enforced. Asylum cases would be rigorously vetted for legitimacy, the Stay in Mexico policy could be enforced so that potential immigrants would adhere to a legal process, chain migration would be reduced, and lawful immigration processes would be streamlined. Any individual who arrives at the southern border would be turned back if they lack proper documents. The number of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration personnel and immigration judges would be increased.
Moreover, folks who have overstayed their student or work visas would be required to reapply to extend these visas or else return to their countries of origin. In order to be fair to U.S. workers, E-Verify would be utilized across the board to determine if an individual is a legal resident who is eligible to enter the labor force. During these challenging times, it is critical to respond to the needs of Americans and the urgency of national security.
Absent the rule of law, liberty, prosperity, and security will give way to the law of the jungle. Handing folks unearned benefits can also encourage dependency while discouraging initiative and merit. An orderly process of immigration will enhance the rule of law and protect citizens and legal immigrants from malign actors who lack accepted core moral principles.
