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-“…since the era in which demand for foreign labor made immigration a social necessity seem so remote, the immigrant’s body was entirely legitimized through its function as an instrument of production, the performance of which was interrupted by illness or accident.” – Succinctly captures modern views of illness of foreigners.

-Unless his presence constitutes a threat to public order, any foreigner habitually resident in France whose health is such that he requires medical treatment the lack of which could lead to exceptionally serious consequences, and provided that he is effectively unable to receive appropriate treatment in his country of origin, will be granted a temporary residence permit validated ‘for private and family life.’” Ordinance of November 2, 1945; modified on May 11, 1998 to bring into line with the European Convention of Human Rights

-“Should we accept ‘getting our hands dirty’ by agreeing to work with the immigrants’ service of the prefect’s office on the difficult issue of deportations?” asked Charles Candillier, a medical officer in the Seine-Saint-Denis Directorate of Healthy and Social Welfare, in an internal memo. His answer is crystal clear: “Although we recognize the ethical ambiguities of the situation, we did agree, on the grounds that our intervention could only be beneficial in helping to prevent arbitrary explusions.”

-Due to recent terror attacks, there has been an insurgence in French xenophobia. Has this changed these policies? What is the current public opinion on the treatment of undocumented foreigner with illness?

-How do other countries manage ill undocumented foreigners? What is the international consensus in first world countries?

-What is the cut-off for illness in the cases discussed? 

-          Initially, it discusses a circular published in 1997, which addresses the problems faced by undocumented immigrants in France and the problems they face getting medical treatment, which eventually went on to turn in to law and improve the welfare of ill illegal residents. This was in the face of many years of increasing laws restricting undocumented resident’s rights in France.

-          Then, it speaks of a specific plight of a French resident from Senegalese, and his request for medical attention, the avenues he had explored to get treatment, how he couldn’t return to his homeland, and how he had, in many ways, given up in the system and was relying on his failing body to arouse compassion from the government.

-          Talks about how the restructuring of the French economy has changed employment needs in France; once, foreign immigrant labor powered the workforce, and made a living through their physical well-being. Now, with the decline of this type of job availability, a change was needed to how the French government deals with illness in foreign residents.

Not really. There was no information provided.

Investigation of the relationship between policies directed at undocumented immigrants, and their welfare, and humanitarian response. It looks into how changes in the French economy and industry has resulted in a drop in demand for foreign workers, and how this has impacted the relationship

This book and the associated chapters has been extensively cited and discussed. Originally written in French and translated, it is clearly an incredibly influential work.

Didier Fassin is a physician, initially practicing internal medicine and studying infectious diseases as a specialist. Recently, he works as a professor of Social Science at the Institute of Advanced Study in Princeton. Over the years, he has worked on several boards in the politics of science, such as serving on the Bored of the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, a public research institution solely focused on human health and medical research. He also works extensively in non-profits to benefit uninsured and undocumented patients, as well as working as administrator of Doctors Without Borders.

Emergency response is not directly addressed in the article, but addressing the welfare of endangered citizens helps to ensure good public health. The policies formulated addressing illness in the undocumented workers speaks to the overall care given to citizens.

This chapter was produce by following the issue of illness of undocumented citizens over the course of several decades, and examining the relationship between how they are treated and social and economic changes. It is linked into changes in policy, memorandums and individual opinions.