Should Sponsors Pay? Briefing on Efforts to Compel L.A. County To Send Bills for Immigrant Health Care

WASHINGTON (August 2004) -- An unprecedented lawsuit that could force the U.S. government to enforce immigration law will be the subject of a briefing sponsored by the Center for Immigration Studies on Wednesday, August 18. Friends of Immigration Law Enforcement (FILE) has initiated court action against Los Angeles County, which is providing health care to foreign nationals at the expense of American taxpayers. The suit seeks to compel the county to seek reimbursement from the sponsors of immigrants for the services rendered, as required by federal law.

"There is widespread disregard for enforcement of our immigration laws, and this suit has the potential to have serious repercussions both legally and politically," said Craig Nelsen, Director of FILE, a Washington, D.C., legal advocacy group.

Formed two years ago, FILE is a non-profit association of hundreds of attorneys, researchers, law enforcement officers, legislators, and others. It has focused attention on the U.S. government's failures to enforce immigration laws by filing briefs, drafting legislation, and initiating litigation.

On Wednesday, August 18, at 9 a.m., the Center for Immigration Studies will host an hour-long briefing where Mr. Nelsen will discuss the Los Angeles lawsuit, as well as FILE's involvement in the case of Yaser Esam Hamdi, an enemy combatant captured in Afghanistan, who claimed U.S. citizenship. The case was decided by the Supreme Court in June.

The briefing is free and open to the public. It will be held at the Center's offices at 1522 K Street NW, Suite 820, near the Metro's Farragut North and McPherson Square stations. For more information, contact John Keeley at (202) 466-8185 or [email protected].