The Foreignness of Germs: The Persistent Association of Immigrants and Disease in American Society

Abstract

During the 20th century the United States witnessed social, political, and economic transformations as well as advancements in medical diagnosis and care. Despite changes in demography, the meaning of citizenship, and the ability to treat and cure acute and chronic diseases, foreigners were consistently associated with germs and contagion. This article explores why, at critical junctures in American history, immigrants have been stigmatized as the etiology of a variety of physical and societal ills. The article analyzes three periods from 1880 to the present and suggests that now, as germs progressively and, often, indiscriminately cross national, social, and economic boundaries through multiple vectors, the mistakes of the past must not be repeated. Protecting the public health in the current era of globalization requires an ecumenical, pragmatic, and historically informed approach to understanding the links between immigration and disease.

Rethinking Research Ethics for Latinos: The Policy Paradox of Health Reform and the Role of Social Justice

“…Initially, this practice was in response to an outbreak of typhus in central Mexico (1915) and a year later to reports of new cases in Los Angeles and in El Paso. Although the threat of the disease subsided within a few months, the practice of disinfecting continued until the 1930s (Markel & Stern, 2002). Today, the negative medicalization of "Mexicans" and the idea of the "dirty Mexican" remains a part of medical discourse.…”

Keeping the vermin out: Perceived disease threat and ideological orientations as predictors of exclusionary immigration attitudes

“…Epidemics named after outgroups, such as the 15th century labels for syphilis as 'French pox' by the English, or as 'Chinese disease' by the Japanese (Joffe, 1999;Sontag, 1989), were commonplace. Immigration policies have been tainted by this perception of disease threat, illustrated by unwarranted medical inspections of incoming immigrants originating from regions suspected to harbour dangerous diseases (Markel & Stern, 2002).…”

Refugee Policy Implications of U.S. Immigration Medical Screenings: A New Era of Inadmissibility on Health-Related Grounds

“…This perception of risk is reinforced by policies that mandate medical examinations from refugees and immigrants, and not from individuals visiting the U.S. or U.S. citizens returning from abroad. The HIV ban that extended from 1987 through 2010, despite the scientific confirmation of HIV infection’s restricted mode of transmission, accentuates how policies are employed to restrict refugee and immigrant entry and create a false perception that immigrants are at higher risk of transmitting disease to the U.S. population [51]. The recent executive orders share a similar sentiment of targeting immigrants despite opposing reports regarding banned immigrants’ increased risk to U.S. security [52].…”