Illegal immigration puts America’s kids last

Many Americans living away from the southern border seem blissfully unaware of the danger that the illegal immigration crisis poses. Sure, they might think it is a national security issue generally. Perhaps they even see the writing on the wall for the economy and the integrity of our elections. But few realize the very real impact it could have on their own families. As much as anything, the immigration crisis threatens the daily health and safety of our children.

I am troubled by the glaring hypocrisy in our nation’s childhood vaccination policies. It is a perplexing reality that American children must receive vaccinations to attend school or participate in various community organizations and sports. In fact, some states have a strict “no shots, no school” policy that even precludes religious exemptions and prevents school enrollment until vaccine requirements are met.

It’s clear the Biden administration is unconcerned with the safety of American citizens and our children, instead prioritizing illegal immigrants.

Yet illegal immigrant children and “unaccompanied minors” crossing our southern border are not held to the same health requirements. For example, in New York City, “migrants living in temporary shelters don’t need vaccinations to initially enroll in public school.” The city insists they simply have a “certain timeframe” in which to obtain their vaccines after enrolling, but I suspect that requirement will be enforced about as effectively as our immigration laws currently are — not at all.

With thousands of illegal immigrant children flooding our communities and overwhelming our social infrastructure, who exactly will check to see if they all get their vaccines on time? And if they don’t, what consequences will they face? This glaring double standard not only undermines the integrity of our public health system but also poses significant risks to the safety and well-being of American children.

The alarming reality is that “emergency rooms and hospitals across the United States are facing overwhelming demands from migrants seeking treatment for diseases that the U.S. had previously eradicated, including polio, whooping cough, tetanus, and measles/mumps/rubella.” These are illnesses that have long been only a third-world concern, but they now threaten the health and safety of America’s youth.

The influx of "unaccompanied minors" crossing the border illegally also raises alarm bells. It is naïve to assume that all these young individuals are innocent children seeking refuge. Many are members of dangerous gangs who exploit the perceived vulnerability of their youth to gain access to our country more easily. These young men — they’re almost all young men — bring with them not only the threat of criminal activity but also the potential for spreading violence and instability in our communities.

Considering the law-and-order crisis America already faces, especially in cities where illegal immigrants are converging, it’s frightening to consider how this will impact the safety of our communities. We’ve already seen a disturbing trend of illegal immigrants being released back into our communities after they’re arrested for violent crimes. Will they face any consequences whatsoever?

As parents, it is our solemn duty to prioritize the safety and well-being of our children in the face of the devastating border crisis. It’s clear the Biden administration is unconcerned with the safety of American citizens and our children, instead prioritizing the illegal immigrants officials are actively fighting to allow into our nation.

We must be unapologetically selfish in protecting our families and standing up for our health and safety against the backdrop of a massive illegal immigration crisis. We must demand accountability from our supposed “representatives” and replace them with leaders who will put the interests of American citizens first. We deserve it, and our lives and families might just depend on it.