Virginia Denies Benefits to Illegals

There are three ways of dealing with the illegal immigration problem, catch them and punish with jail or deportation, harden the border or remove the incentive for them to come.

A new Virginia law that bars illegal aliens from receiving state-funded benefits goes into effect tomorrow.
The law restricts anybody without a Social Security number from receiving Medicaid, temporary assistance for needy families, and help from several other state and local programs.

"A lot of us were saying, instead of raising taxes, why don't we start prioritizing where we're spending our existing money," said Delegate David B. Albo, Fairfax Republican, who sponsored the bill. "One of the things we found was the state was not checking for legal presence for Medicaid."

Mr. Albo could not specify how many illegal aliens might be receiving public benefits. But he said the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles rejected 187,000 applicants the first year after 2004 legislation restricted illegals from obtaining driver's licenses.
"To me, the same arguments that presented themselves for the ... driver's license debate are here in the public-benefits debate," said Mr. Albo, who sponsored the motor vehicle legislation.

An effective approach incorporates all three. Removing the incentive should be the top priority since it is the most efficient. Coupled with a hardened border and backed up with vigorous enforcement we can gain control of the problem and then address the issue of foreign workers coming for economic benefit.

The 187,000 number could include citizens who's paperwork was incomplete. In Virginia it is very difficult to renew a license much less get a new one.

Immigration has been and will be one of the foundations of our strength as a society. New Americans grasp the opportunities offered by our system with enthusiasm. The competition keeps native Americans from becoming complacent. Illegal immigration encourages an influx of an element of exploitation that does not contribute in the same manner, but can be a negative drag on the dynamics of a free society.

Thanks to Basil and Merle for the Links