The Zika virus is not just a problem for pregnant women. One of our friends works for Reach Beyond, which brings clean water to tribes in the Amazon and he now has Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
I’m guessing that there are some in the medical establishment here that are glad for the opportunity to examine and treat a Zika baby. If that disease is indeed headed for our shores soon, we are going to have to develop a better understanding of it, and figure out how to deal with the kids it affects.
There is another such infant who was born in HI as well, I’ve heard.
Honestly, the specifics of it don’t matter to me one way or another.
The question in my mind is how many children with severe disabilities is the United States willing to absorb for a lifetime of care before it becomes a tremendous financial burden. As American citizens these kids are awarded this financial care.
I believe there are also other countries where you are conferred citizenship by being born there. Our Congress has to act if it wants to change things and require more than being born here to confer citizenship.
Another baby with Zika on the way…
http://pix11.com/2016/05/10/pregnant-teen-with-zika-virus-says-she-will-keep-baby/
And no, I will not fund her gofundme account. You made an adult decision, now you have to adult.
It takes more than Congressional action to change that. Like it or not – and it’s obvious that some people don’t – it would take a Constitutional amendment. I believe arguments to the contrary are legally frivolous. The 14th Amendment states: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.” The idea that so-called “anchor babies” aren’t subject to the jurisdiction of the United States – at least so long as they remain in the United States – is absurd. That clause clearly has to do with foreign ambassadors, diplomats, etc.
Only the US and Canada allow this among developed nations.
If the Zika virus becomes a world wide health crisis as WHO has suggested MIGHT happen then there will be changes made one way or another.
The United States is already having a health care crisis with American citizens not being able to afford their own health care. There will be little patience for additional increases due to pregnant non American citizens coming to the US to have their children here if those children require life long care.
So how many disabled children are you willing to pay a lifetime of care for before you say enough? 1000? 10,000? 20,000?
Its not a popular question. It is horrible to think you would need to say no more. But you have to think about it. And you have to think about it now.
and I will leave it at that.
The US Constitution is not easily amended.
http://www.lexisnexis.com/constitution/amendments_howitsdone.asp
So the baby is a citizen, but the mom is not. Did she need a visa to come to the US? If so, what does she likely have- a visitor visa? How long is it good for? What is the chance she will be sent home?
Why did they issue a visa to a very pregnant woman? You don’t need to change the constition. Just a bit judious in issuing a visa.
So you’re for banning someone who is pregnant to come visit family or travel in the US? Wow.
Why not the family visit her in the comfort of her own home instead of forcing her to travel. I didn’t know you could fly in the third trimester.
Most pregnant women travel just fine. Yes, it is perfectly safe to travel even in your 3rd trimester.
The point was she wanted good medical care for her baby–seems a good idea for most moms, especially if they thought their baby had serious medical issues. Getting citizenship was added bonus. It would be difficult for anyone granting visa (if one is even needed) to know whether applicant is pregnant, as often it’s just passing papers and paying fees.
If Zika is transmissible through semen, doesn’t it follow that it could be present and transmissable in other bodily fluids as well? Any medical people here who might know this?
So we are not preventing her from visiting family but not to have a baby here if we refuse her visa? Anything wrong with that?
@TatinG I was wondering the same.
- Zika may be found in saliva and may be transmitted by oral sex.
- Entry to the US can be denied to pregnant women who do not have the means to pay for medical treatment.