America needs comprehensive healthcare reform and immigrants should be part of the movement. But many American citizens may be asking the pertinent question: Why should they cover the cost of accessing health care for illegal immigrants? The answer is plain and simple: Until Congress passes immigration laws that work, people will immigrate here illegally. And by denying migrants access to affordable health care, Americans are not only denying them human rights, but also putting individual and national health at risk. I believe that this country – which has the medical advances and facilities to ensure the health of its citizens – should reach out to its non-citizens, legal and illegal, until it passes laws that improve conditions, raise wages, and therefore better prevent diseases. effectively – or until undocumented workers are barred from residing here altogether. Most people believe that illegal immigrants pose a strain on the American economy. That is, they often live off the system but do not contribute funds. This is a common misconception, although the extent to which the American economy might benefit from it, if it ever benefits from it, is debatable. Immigrants, in fact, pay taxes. While we can only estimate, it is believed that 50 to 60 percent of undocumented workers have their Social Security and Medicare payments withheld from their paychecks. They often do this using fake Social Security numbers, so their lack of legal status forces them to pay for benefits they cannot use (Brulliard B01). And all undocumented workers pay other taxes, such as sales, property, and consumption taxes (Brulliard B01). It is debatable, however, whether, as a group, they cost more or less... half of the paper... .... 12, n. 23. pp. 521-544. The CQ researcher. Portland Community College Library, Portland, Oregon. 19 November 2008. .FAIR. “Illegal immigration and public health”. Federation for American Immigration Reform. FAIRUS.org. November 19, 2008..Navas, Melissa. “Undocumented Workers Ruling Could Shake Oregon Economy.” Oregon. July 22, 2008. OregonLive.com. 14 November 2008.520.xml& coll=7>.Lupo, Richard. “Rising healthcare costs put focus on illegal immigrants.” United States today. January 21, 2008. USATODAY.com. November 19th 2008..