Legal Services tries to get Medicaid for Illegals
The National Immigration Law Center, a major LSC support center, sued the state of California for adopting a law that requires those seeking emergency services under Medicaid to disclose their immigration status. Legal services attorneys contended that the law should be struck down because it would deter undocumented immigrants from seeking emergency services. Fortunately, the California Supreme Court rejected this incredible argument. However, legal services plans to take the case all the way to the US Supreme Court.
For More Information, see BNA Health Care Daily, December
30, 1994
Legal Services Denounces Expulsion of Mexicans Illegally Attending US Schools
When school officials in California’s Mountain Empire District,
on the Mexican border, expelled hundreds of Mexicans illegally attending
school there, California Rural Legal Assistance immediately denounced the
action. They accused state legislator Jan Goldsmith, who blew the whistle
on the practice, of fomenting an anti-Hispanic “witch hunt.” The students
involved, which included both Mexican and US citizens, lived in the nearby
Mexican town of Tecate. Students, regardless of nationality, can only attend
schools in another district if they pay $3000 tuition. Although the
expulsions saved taxpayers $1 million, it is estimated that the potential
cost of this fraud along the border could be as high as $29 million.
SeeWashington Times, May 22, 1994
Supports Federal Disaster Relief for Illegals
When Congress inserted a stipulation into the $9 billion earthquake
relief bill last year prohibiting non-emergency aid from going to illegal
aliens, legal services condemned the action. The amendment denied illegals
access to home repair loans, disaster grants and HUD housing assistance
but still allowed them to collect emergency food and clothing. The National
Immigration Law Center criticized this sensible measure because it would
only discourage illegal aliens from seeking aid.
SeeThe Chicago Tribune, February 9, 1994
Sues INS for Trying to Enforce Immigration Laws
Exploiting every opportunity to counter efforts at controlling
illegal immigration, legal services sued the INS for trying to improve
its enforcement of immigration laws. In 1993, the INS ordered all resident
aliens to renew green cards issued before 1978 by paying a $70 fee. The
replacement program was part of the agency’s effort to end widespread document
fraud that had seriously weakened the 1986 federal law prohibiting the
hiring of illegals. Legal services attorneys tried to sink the plan
by claiming the $70 fee was too much.
SeeThe Los Angeles Times, November 6, 1993
Supports Political Asylum for Homosexuals
Watch Out! Legal services may be gearing up to force the US government
to admit homosexuals on the basis that they are a persecuted social group.
In 1994, the Immigration and Naturalization Service granted asylum to a
Mexican homosexual because his sexual orientation put his life in danger
in his home country. The National Immigration Law Center called it an “important
precedent” in the campaign to accord sexual orientation asylum status.
SeeThe Houston Chronicle, March 25, 1994