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TULSA, Okla. -- Hysteria spread among Oklahoma's Latinos as soon as the governor signed a tough immigration law.
The parents of 2-month-old Edgar Castorena were caught in that web of fear, uncertain what to do when their baby suffered from 10 days of diarrhea.
"They were terrified to take the baby to the emergency room because they were afraid they'd get reported and deported," said Laurie Paul, executive director of the Community Health Connection clinic in Tulsa.
Even though the law wasn't in effect yet, the Mexican couple feared taking their son to a hospital. Instead, they took him to Paul's small, federally funded clinic, where nearly 70 percent of the patients are Hispanics.
It was too late.
The baby died of a ruptured intestine as an ambulance raced him to a hospital.
Critics of Oklahoma's law point to Edgar's death in July 2007 as an extreme example of how cracking down on illegal immigration can have unintended consequences.
The law that his parents feared so much provides an exception for emergency medical care, so they had nothing to fear in taking him to an emergency room.
But they didn't understand.
Health care -- who deserves it, when they can get it and who pays for it -- is an inescapable issue in the immigration debate.
Oklahoma's law, which took effect last November, has church pastors worried about being arrested for transporting illegal immigrants to doctor visits. It also has health-care workers concerned about the possible spread of disease if patients don't seek care for fear of deportation.
Please tell me what health care they had South of the border?
Here is a thought, go to a clinic and PAY CASH.
Agreed. What stuck out even larger than life was the fact that they were so busy worrying about what would happen to their sorry selfish anuses, that they allowed the poor child to suffer and die.
Even though the law wasn't in effect yet, the Mexican couple feared taking their son to a hospital. Instead, they took him to Paul's small, federally funded clinic, where nearly 70 percent of the patients are Hispanics.
I recall this story. The article conveniently fails to mention that not only was the law not in effect yet; when this incident transpired, the couple wasn't even aware of the pending legislation. Their decision NOT to take their baby to the hospital has no relevance to Oklahoma's law. Pro-illegals are simply using this child's death to support their agenda. It's shameful!
I recall this story. The article conveniently fails to mention that not only was the law not in effect yet; when this incident transpired, the couple wasn't even aware of the pending legislation. Their decision NOT to take their baby to the hospital has no relevance to Oklahoma's law. Pro-illegals are simply using this child's death to support their agenda. It's shameful!
Exactly - I remember this case as well. The only thing contemptible here is the bad parenting this poor child was subjected to - ignorance to the umpteenth power.
They are in OK. That is what, less than a day's drive to the border? If they were THAT worried and concerned they could have met someone at the border. Or doesn't Mexico have hospitals?
I recall this story. The article conveniently fails to mention that not only was the law not in effect yet; when this incident transpired, the couple wasn't even aware of the pending legislation. Their decision NOT to take their baby to the hospital has no relevance to Oklahoma's law. Pro-illegals are simply using this child's death to support their agenda. It's shameful!
Wow . . .just wow. I wouldn't be surprised if this was stated as a precursor to them setting the scenario for filing a law suit. We all know they hold us responsible for the end results of all of their irrational thoughts and actions.
I am sorry but why should we citizens care about their health problems? Please explain that to me.
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