Illegal bind

Here in the midsection of the country the immigration issue President Bush and Congress are struggling with can seem removed. We don't see infrared pictures of illegal immigrants streaming across our borders in the night.

Of course, illegal immigrants do cross our borders and are living among us. In April, illegal immigrant Juan Vargas drove a car into a tree. The crash killed 22-year-old Robert Garcia-Lopez, who was Vargas' best friend. The other two passengers were injured.

Vargas, who allegedly was intoxicated, was charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of assault.

All four men are residents of Cape Girardeau.

Vargas began having medical complications a few days after the accident and has been hospitalized at Saint Francis Medical Center since then. He is considered a flight risk, so deputies have been assigned to guard him at a cost to Cape Girardeau County of more than $7,500 in overtime pay.

Last year, Sheriff John Jordan notified both local hospital that his department would not pay inmates' hospital bills. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement won't touch Vargas until the criminal case is completed.

These are just some of the costs of illegal immigration. Border states have been dealing with the ramifications for many decades.

To resuscitate his immigration bill, President Bush has promised more money to help border states control the numbers of illegal immigrants entering the country. A more comprehensive solution is needed. It's everybody's problem.