Immigrants in health care
Donald Trump went to the Supreme Court asking permission to halt temporary protection for asylum seekers and to allow him to deport those legally working under Temporary Protected Status (TPS). On June 25, the Supreme Court gave Trump what he had asked for: permission to deport Haitians who are here as asylum seekers.
Because a significant portion of the nursing home and home health workforce consists of immigrants — some estimates suggest that up to 30% of home care aides and over 20% of nursing assistants in nursing homes and hospitals are foreign-born — the loss of work authorization for TPS holders creates a direct threat to care delivery.
Industry leaders, including organizations like LeadingAge, have warned that losing these staff members overnight could force providers to limit new admissions, close units, or turn away requests for home health and home care services.
TPS holders currently fill essential roles, including nursing assistants, who are responsible for the daily care — feeding, cleaning, and monitoring — of elderly residents. The ruling removes the legal backstop that had protected these workers, meaning that once the administration’s termination of status takes effect, affected employees will lose their legal right to work.
The long-term care sector was already facing chronic staffing shortages prior to this decision. Industry advocates emphasize that this ruling removes a critical segment of the workforce, leaving providers with fewer options to fill vacancies in a high-demand, high-stress field.
Trump has abandoned Christian morality; he has adopted cruelty as its substitute. And his cruelty extends to our elderly and their families.
Sally Lam, Naples
Political ads skip meaningful issues
Local television is filled with the advertising rhetoric of politicians but rarely do we hear anything meaningful to help guide our vote. Currently, we have the likes of Belinda Keiser, Jim Schwartzel, Jim Oberweis advocating only one platform: loyalty to Trump. Candidate Chris Collins outdoes his colleagues by claiming he is “the original Trump” supporter, suggesting that being first on the bandwagon makes him even more capable to help us out of war and inflation. One day I’d like to hear how the candidates feel about meaningful matters facing Floridians: rising consumer prices or affordable housing, for instance.
At least we understand where Sen. Rick Scott stands on affordable housing: he voted against it. A man who shelled out $65 million in personal funds to buy his seat hardly cares about affordability. Fealty to the president will likely win these sycophants election, but meanwhile their constituents will suffer from unaffordable rents and groceries because the victors have lost focus on what really matters.
Tom Marquardt, Naples
Celebrating July 4th
If you grew up in one of America’s small towns, or even the suburbs (as I did), celebrating July 4th meant watching (or participating in) a morning parade of scouts, school bands and a firetruck or two, followed by a neighborhood barbecue and a possible swim in a pool or lake, and topped off by a gathering of all the residents at a local park or field to witness a fireworks display that evening. Satisfaction and a swelling pride were the general feelings as families packed up their folding chairs and returned home. Local and together that day.
If you grew up in one of our country’s major cities, or moved to one (as I did), celebrating our country’s birth meant perhaps a gathering with several friends for a party and then scoping out the best place to witness a spectacular firework display — from the East River in New York or on the Boston Common, perhaps. For those in Philly, there is the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence. The Bicentennial added the arrival of the Tall Ships to New York to make that special anniversary really awesome.
I celebrated one July 4th at the American Embassy in Tokyo with fireworks on the lawn, so close that some embers landed near me. Was I proud to be an American that year I worked overseas? You bet.
That was the meaning of our country’s birthday — heartfelt and local celebrations with others. Not battering contests on the White House lawn, not political rallies from the National Mall, not ugly and bizarre events in a torn-up Washington, D.C.
Let’s remember the true meaning of our 250th anniversary — keep it local, be with others, remember our history and strive to make a better union.
Jennifer Walker, Naples
Naples Pier rebuilding
It took 4 years (Jan. 1933-May ’37) to build the Golden Gate Bridge at a cost of $35 million. The Empire State Building was built in 1 year and 45 days (March 1930-May 1931) at the cost of $41 million. The Hoover Dam took 5 years (1931-36, and completed 2 years early) at a cost of $49 million (and under budget).
The Naples Pier will take 18 months to build and cost 23.5 million dollars; but the timeline is 5 years (Hurricane Ian 2022- 27). If you want to blame FEMA for the delay, that may be so, but it should not be as such. We/ the government should be better than it was 90 years ago.
Jim Adduci, Naples
Positive ideas from liberals
This is in response to the gentleman from Alva who challenges us to make suggestions to improve America. If I were running for president I would:
Promise to uphold the laws and administer them as outlined in our precious Constitution, and never flaunt them, especially for personal gain. I will perform my duties to represent all the people. The Constitution states that in the eyes of our Creator all men are created equal and we will work to make sure the nation honors that sacred covenant.
Work to see that only the most competent and experienced candidates will be considered for the Cabinet, no more conspiracy theorists and crazies.
Rebuild the Department of Justice and once again make it the hallmark of upholding the laws and our Constitution. We will recruit the best and brightest legal minds, including the dedicated, experienced members who were driven out because they refused to take part in the wholesale corruption of this administration.
Work to restore all the inspectors general that have been removed from our most cherished institutions. Oversight will be reinitiated and sycophants will be removed. Accountability will be paramount.
Resolve to have the presidential pardon power reformed via a constitutional amendment. At the very least we should require Congress to approve all pardons. I would recommend a 2/3 approval vote.
Make sure that states keep their right to conduct elections without federal interference. Federal laws may be passed to ensure voting rights but are forbidden to interfere with elections themselves.
Not allow federal troops and/or law enforcement agencies to occupy cities and states without the express permission of the states and cities. The only exceptions will be for insurrections (not riots) and blatant violations of voting rights and other denials of human rights.
Work to restore civil service to protect workers. Federal agencies cannot operate with any level of efficiency or cost effectiveness if employees can be swept out whenever there is a change in administration.
Reaffirm our commitment to NATO and our European allies to uphold the peace that has endured since the second world war.
Honor our men and women who serve our nation in the armed services.
Restore health benefits for our parents and grandparents. Provide health care for children whose parents are unable to provide it. Support efforts to provide health care to rural communities and small hospitals.
Appoint and nominate the best candidates for the Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Health and the Federal Drug Administration. No more anti-vaccine and conspiracy weirdos. We need a strong commitment to public health.
John Speredelozzi, Naples
Bring on fresh ideas
U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz spoke during a recent debate ahead of the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 20. Schultz used almost every question posed during the nearly two-hour debate to tout her experience and political wins in Congress. “Lived experience matters,” Wasserman Schultz said. That sounds impressive until you examine her accomplishments, or rather lack thereof during her years in Congress. Specifically, from the 109th Congress through the 119th Congress (years 2005-2026) she sponsored 125 bills. However, only three became law. That means just a 2.42%-win rate and a 97.58% unsuccessful rate.
It is time for her to step aside and elect someone with fresh ideas to represent Florida District 20.
Ron Dudley, Fort Myers
Hold off on victory lap
A recent contributor was stating all of the great things that a Democrat Congress has passed through the years but before taking a victory lap, he or she may want to take a closer look at two of them in particular.
The contributor mentioned the Civil Rights Act of 1948. Unfortunately there was no comprehensive legislation passed on civil rights because Harry Truman did not have the backing of his southern Dixiecrats. He did sign Executive Order 9980 which forbade discrimination within the federal government and he also signed Executive Order 9981which abolished discrimination in the military. Anti-poll tax legislation wasn’t passed either because of those same Dixiecrats. Republicans were in the majority at the time and generally were in favor of comprehensive voting and civil rights legislation.
Another thing mentioned by the contributor was the Voting Rights Act of 1965. President Lyndon Johnson had the same problem as Harry Truman did, southern Democrats. To get around this he formed a coalition with Republicans, most notably with Minority Leader Sen. Everett Dirksen and the legislation passed. And by the way, 17 Democrats voted against it while only two Republicans did.
So hold off on that victory lap because without those executive orders and some Lyndon Johnson persuasion none of this would have happened.
Rick Manuel, NCO – U.S. Navy, Dade City
Trump’s escalating idiocy
Some time ago, one repellant nihilist advised another to “flood the zone,” to befuddle potential critics by overwhelming them with the sheer weight of foul smelling nonsense splattered on the wall. Trump is not normally known for heeding advice, but he appears to have made an exception for Steve Bannon. Every day in matters great and small, he rains down a torrent of deceit, self-congratulation and disastrous decision making. It becomes next to impossible for a concerned citizen to focus on any one outrage; we have to fight the tendency to see this train wreck as a “new normal.” And now that he has failed ignominiously in Iran, he is gearing up to have a go at regime change in Cuba. Surely he can divert our attention from one tragically ill-advised war far away by “breaking things” in a dubious enterprise closer to home. “Flooding the zone,” my friends. And we have to live with this escalating idiocy for two more years. What could possibly go wrong.
Well, it is what it is; we’re stuck with him for now. On a positive note, though, we do have the opportunity to slow him down a little in November. We can vote to rebuke him, his minions and agenda once and for all. We had better. That wall of his can only support so much more before it collapses and takes us all along for the ride.
Geremy Spampinato, Naples
A state that looks up
Florida has long been at the center of America’s conversation about Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAPs). According to the National UFO Reporting Center, our state reports the second‑highest number of sightings in the country. With so many credible accounts from pilots, veterans, and everyday Floridians, it is only natural that Florida should play a leading role in the national push for transparency.
Recent congressional hearings and the release of UAP files mark a historic shift. For the first time, leaders from both parties are acknowledging that something real is happening in our skies and that it deserves serious investigation rather than dismissal. Several Florida lawmakers have been vocal in calling for accountability and public access to information, helping ensure that this issue receives the attention it deserves.
I also speak from personal experience. Over the years, I have witnessed large orange orbs hovering silently outside one of my apartments, and I later saw similar orbs again one July evening. I have also seen triangular lights over the water in California. These sightings inspired me to reach out to researchers such as Avi Loeb and the late Nick Pope, and to organizations like MUFON. Many Americans have seen things they cannot easily explain, and they deserve a stigma‑free place to report their experiences.
Florida has always been a place where the sky matters — from Cape Canaveral launches to our wide coastal horizons. With our long history of sightings, Florida should continue leading the call for transparency, scientific inquiry, and public accountability.
Melanie Simms, North Fort Myers
Record of lying, cheating
Let’s not try to make sense of the incoherent rhetoric Trump spews about his Iran deal which exposes him as an incompetent fool and a failed dealmaker. Shame on his lackeys in government and court jesters at FOX who feel compelled to apply lipstick to this pig of a deal. Put simply, Trump failed and wanted out. He needs to put this strategic defeat in the rear view mirror. He made major concessions to the real winner, Iran. Now he will lie about the outcome. Predictably, he will tell his gullible and malleable fans that he won. He’ll always lie about winning and losing. At the end of the day, we gain nothing and leave the beleaguered Iranian people and imperiled Iranian neighbors to the whims of a still-brutal regime. Will this feeble peace last?
What’s the next move for the babbling blowhard? He’ll malevolently try to undermine the midterm elections by suppressing votes. His compelling track record of lying and cheating should prompt our legislators, our courts, and our vocal media to expose his incompetence, and foil his efforts to disenfranchise us.
Kevin McNally, Bonita Springs
Putin, Trump failures
Both Putin and Trump have launched stupid, poorly implemented wars. Time for both to leave their non-leadership roles.
Kevin D. Ryan, Estero
Steering the ship of state
Logic compels me to continue to repeat that as it becomes more and more apparent that billionaires, aka oligarchs who, via Citizens United, contribute massive amounts of money to our servants’ job application campaigns, now have the “implied” power to “suggest” to OUR servants where to steer our ship of state, is it that farfetched to have a 28th Amendment that gives We the People final yay or nay majority decision making over decisions coming down from all three branches of our government within the rules and guarantees of the Constitution via regular & emergency referendums?
For too long We the People have been like rich, ignorant children riding in the back seat of our limo. We have the freedom to fruitlessly complain to our hired chauffeur while we fight with each other and can vote every two and four years to keep or hire a new chauffeur, BUT the one right we don’t have is the power to immediately overrule where the chauffeur is taking us. That power seems to be with the wealthy “dark passenger” in the front seat sitting inappropriately close to our chauffeur… and the steering wheel.
J. Cant, Naples
Happy Birthday America
This year we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of America. Have you ever noticed that civilization’s greatest accomplishments have occurred in the past 250 years and most of them from innovations started in the United States? America is truly the greatest nation in history. Have you ever noticed that when you see an American flag proudly displayed In front of someone’s house you are probably looking at a Republican? And when you see an LGBTQ flag displayed you are probably looking at a Democrat? How did Republicans get labeled as the party of racism? Republicans didn’t own slaves, Democrats did. Republicans didn’t start a war to defend slavery, Democrats did. Republicans didn’t form the Ku Klux Klan, Democrats did. Republicans didn’t segregate their states, Democrats did. And Republicans didn’t steal the 2020 Presidential election….. Happy Birthday America and many, many more to come.
Norris Clark, Fort Myers
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Deporting Haitians a threat to home health care | Opinion letters
Reporting by Letter writers / Fort Myers News-Press
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By Letter writers | USA TODAY Network
