âºSenate Approves Health Insurance for Immigrants
11 million children from low-income families are now eligible for federal health insurance. The new State Children’s Health Insurance Program will act independently from Medicaid, so those who make too much money to apply for Medicaid may be able to receive insurance from the new program. The program more than doubles the amount of money allotted for children’s health insurance. Also, legal immigrant families who previously had to wait up to five years to be eligible for federal health insurance will be able to receive this insurance immediately, with the same status as citizens.
⺓No Immigration Reform Until 2010”, Claims Think Tank
The Migration Policy Institute, a nonpartisan immigration think tank based in Washington DC, claims that large-scale immigration reform by the present federal administration is unlikely to occur until Spring of 2010, given the current economic crisis. Many other analysts agree that apart from a few minor bills, comprehensive immigration legislation doesn’t have a chance of getting through in the first half of 2009, and only a small chance until late 2009 or 2010. Border crossings have decreased, perhaps due to the factory raids and the nearly complete border fence, of which only 65 miles need to be completed. This is seen by many as an opportunity to relax federal legislation and concentrate on other matters, making it doubtful whether President Obama or Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano could make any significant policy changes, even if they were so inclined, as they would likely lack the backing needed from the national legislature.
âºUniversity of Arizona Study Expands Doubts about Prison System
A new scientific study by the University of Arizona revealed that female immigration detainees lacked proper medical care and frequently faced maltreatment, showing that problems in the detention centers is by no means limited to males or to the more infamous east coast prisons. Immigration authorities were too aggressive in detaining and handling the women, said the study, given the fact that few women present a serious safety threat or “flight risk”. There was also a lack of prenatal care, and inadequate treatment for cancer, ovarian cysts, and other serious medical conditions. In some cases, the detainees were also mixed in with federal prisoners who had been charged with far more serious crimes. Other medical problems have also come to light as of late, following the death due to inadequate medical care of a German-born undocumented immigrant who had lived in the US since early childhood.
âºComprehensive Non-Citizen Defense Website Launched
A new website formed by pro-immigrant legal services has been launched in order to better deliver information about national and state law and information about legal representation. The site, www.defendimmigants.org, promises to help immigrants facing criminal cases.
Facebook Comments
