Illegal Immigration and Healthcare With the United States economy in chaos, illegal immigration and the effects it has on healthcare can no longer be ignored. America has every need to be concerned and well informed about issues rather than gathering information piecemeal through the media or other biased groups. If illegal immigration remains on its current course, American taxpayers will continue to fund the welfare of individuals who have broken federal rules and regulations and are supported by law-abiding citizens. This argument is not about individual rights to live and prosper. This is not about race or discrimination of any kind. I am only referring to the effects on healthcare. California has been plagued by budget shortfalls in recent years. Layoffs have been rampant as has spending on public services. According to the governor, “The state has not been able to balance the budget because of the money spent on illegal immigrants” (Jacobsen 71). If so, why was there no immediate call for illegal immigration reform? Jacobsen continues: “Services such as the provision of dental care to poor women and the elderly, the treatment of drug-addicted pregnant women, and prenatal care in general should be cut due to the costs associated with illegal immigration” (71). When immigrants cross the border illegally, they directly impact the healthcare of American citizens. This should not be tolerated and reform should be implemented as quickly as possible. Reimers claims that “curbing illegal immigration could save $280 over the course of a decade” (97). The amount of money spent on illegal immigrants is enormous. Not only that, but the conservative requirements... of a paper nature...... distinguish the categories of people we wish to admit and establish minimum criteria for their admission” (155). Minimum is the key word. At present the citizenship process is arduous to say the least. We need to go back to an earlier time, when shiploads of immigrants arrived in New York. They would stand in line for hours if not days to document themselves and obtain legal status. Few were turned away. If we did the same for our neighbors to the south, everyone would be part of the system and contribute to our society through consumers, workers and taxpayers. Americans would therefore recognize Mexican immigrants not as invaders, but as other human beings, contributors, and citizens of the United States. Health care would no longer be burdened and aid could be provided without putting a burden on the backs of both the government and taxpayers..