You're in a country illegally, and your infant child is very ill. Waddya do? Well, being the person that I am, I'd do anything to ensure the well-being and life of my child. Possibly being deported would be a distant concern when compared to my child. Guess I'm just weird like that:
Edgar Castorena had diarrhea for 10 days(!) and counting, and the illegal immigrant parents of the 2-month-old didn't know what to do about it. They were afraid they would be deported under a new Oklahoma law if they took him to a major hospital. By the time they took him to a clinic, it was too late. (Link.)
And, of course, the AP blames a new Oklahoma law for the child's demise:
A ruptured intestine that might have been treatable instead killed the U.S.-born infant, making him a poster child for opponents of House Bill 1804 months before it was enacted as the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act of 2007. "The sad part of it was the child didn't have to die if House Bill 1804 didn't ever come around," said Laurie Paul, who runs the clinic where Edgar was finally taken. "It was a total tragedy because the bill was there to create the myths and untruths and the fear."
But wait -- it gets better. People here illegally who're worried about being deported compare the Oklahoma law to -- you guessed it -- Nazi Germany:
"I feel like I'm in some kind of Nazi country where if they see your color, you'll be stopped," said Maria Sanchez, a 22-year-old student who is looking to leave Oklahoma rather than risk waiting the seven years it will take to get her papers. "I can't work, I can't study, I can't go out, there's no point of me staying here."
"Risk" is exactly what you took, Ms. Sanchez, when you decided to break the law and take up residence in the U.S. illegally. And the same thing goes for the Castorenas. They are responsible for what happened to their child, not Oklahoma, and not those who support the law, no matter what the AP would have you believe. (And of course, the AP doesn't mention until almost the end of the article that the Castorena's predicament occurred before the new law took effect, and even so, the law has an exception for emergency medical care, as is the case everywhere.)
"Responsibility"? What's that? Especially when it's easier to blame the big, bad United States (and the individual states), compare them to Nazis, and you've got a willing big media on your side?
(h/t to NB reader Bob G.)
—D. S. Hube is an educator and a member of the National Association of Scholars. He blogs regularly at The Colossus of Rhodey.



















Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Prosecuted
January 27, 2008 - 10:04 ET by allanfForgive me for not being overly sympathetic to the AP's canard. The parents don't have to worry about being deported now. They can be prosecuted for child endangerment and negligent homicide.
What a disgraceful thing to do to a child.
Here's an ingenius approach
January 27, 2008 - 10:04 ET by candanceStay in your home country and raise your baby there until you get permission to come here.
American citizens who actually pay taxes to keep hospitals open are tired of waiting 3 to 4 hours in an ER lobby because illegals want healthcare for free.
So the parents put their
January 27, 2008 - 10:32 ET by motherbeltSo the parents put their own desire to stay in this country above the welfare of their child.
And we are supposed to be sympathetic to this?
If it were my child, I would take him/her to the hospital, and accept deportation as the price to pay.
And as for Maria Sanchez, a 22-year-old student who is looking to leave Oklahoma
rather than risk waiting the seven years it will take to get her
papers. "I can't work, I can't study, I can't go out, there's no point
of me staying here."
Notice she didn't say she's going back where she came from. She will simply find someplace where she can continue to stay illegally, because they are more lax about immigration law.
And on the subject of immigration, Sen. McCain is right now on Meet the Press. He just told Russert that he knows the American people want the border secured, and he is from a border state, he knows how to do it....he talked about the wall, increased security, etc. And I kept waiting for Tim Russert ask "Then why haven't you????"
Yeah, I know, in my dreams.....
Wish they would have given
January 27, 2008 - 14:23 ET by bassndudeWish they would have given Maria Sanchezs address. That way I could go help her pack. Im sick and tired of all this "poor little illegal" crap. Another word for illegal is criminal. Like a thief.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
D. S. Again, logic
January 27, 2008 - 10:29 ET by ghotifunD. S.
Again, logic escapes me...
A ruptured intestine that might have been treatable instead killed the U.S.-born infant...
Ruptured intestines don't happen over night. There is immense pain that even a nonspeaking infant can make known. There was probably bloody stools as well as a rock-hard abdomen and fever.
A U. S. born infant (citizen) is automatically eligible for healthcare in any state in the union as a U. S. citizen without prejudice.
The law, billed by its backers as the nation's toughest legislation against illegal immigration, took effect Nov. 1. It bars illegal immigrants from obtaining jobs or state assistance and makes it a felony to harbor or transport illegal immigrants.
The law the parents were worried about wasn't even in effect??? As you querry...
"Responsibility"? What's that?
Oh, yeah, that's what Hillary's government is supposed to do for the "downtrodden"-be responsible when they choose not to be...
Rightly or wrongly, a U. S. citizen died at the hands and ommitted efforts of his illegal-entry parents. Where is the citizen's (infant's) rights? This U.S.-born infant's parents should be tried for child neglect and/or abuse and when they are convicted, they should be deported. Just try getting good healthcare south of the border...
The infant was sick for 10
January 27, 2008 - 10:55 ET by motherbeltThe infant was sick for 10 days. The parents probably took the infant to the hospital when the symptoms reached a crisis stage...the rupture.
I'm not excusing the parents...I said above that if it were my child, I would have gone to the ER by day 3...deportation be damned.
But the infant probably wasn't in extremis the whole ten days...I'm guessing when it got to that point they gave in and went.
I'm guessing when it got to that point they gave in and went..
January 27, 2008 - 10:56 ET by PamThat is more than likely what they did...rather than treat the initial symtom of diarrhea, which is common and easily treatable no matter where you come from in this world, they more than likey waited until the child was dehydrated, the diarrhea caused intestinal problems and the child died..That isn't anyone but the mothers fault for not having the common sense to call her mom or a neighbor or some woman that has kids and say " my child has had diarrhea for 2-3 days, what should I do to stop this". Citizen or not, she would have done the same thing...
I noted that the article knew that she might be going to Arkansas, but God forbid they encourage her to leave...If that was her only child, she she be on a bus heading south...but my guess is that she is pumping out a new one to keep herself here...
That poor child!
MB- There is way more to
January 27, 2008 - 11:09 ET by ghotifunMB-
There is way more to this story than is presented here. ER's are filled with illegals seeking care for mundane illnesses such as colds that don't need emergency medicine.
I still say this child's parents are negligent and should be legally dealt with.
It doesn't take very long for an infant bowel to rupture. Three days may be too late. After rupturing, many times the "patient" feels better...for a while until peritonitis sets in, then the "patient" is in real trouble with sepsis and its profound impact on the body. In that scenario, the parents had two episodes to seek medical care-when the symptoms first appeared and later when the pain of peritonitis became present. Twice they failed to take action!
As a father (several times over) I agree with you. I'd do whatever it took to assure my child's health and suffer the consequences later...
I only said the child was
January 27, 2008 - 13:00 ET by motherbeltI only said the child was sick for a while, then they probably took him in when it got critical. I never mentioned anything about legal action, and certainly didn't say that they shouldnt' be held legally responsible. Perhaps they could be charged with manslaughter, I don't know. But if you look at my very first comment on the subject; you'll see that I was not cutting them any slack. I don't want anyone to get the impression that I am defending the parents...I am definitely NOT. I was just commenting that they tried to put it off, (which I was very clear about considering reprehensible), then found they couldn't any longer.
MB- We're on the same
January 27, 2008 - 16:01 ET by ghotifunMB-
We're on the same page. My point is that the parents probably had TWO chances to help their baby and didn't either time. You're right. Their lack of action(s) is/are reprehensible.
Just a question
January 27, 2008 - 11:02 ET by Rhymes With RightWhy does she want to stay in "some kind of Nazi country"? Why doesn't she flee back to her home country where she will be welcome, safe, and legal?
Blogging at http://rhymeswithright.mu.nu
Deplorable
January 27, 2008 - 11:02 ET by Kevin HalpernThat's the only word that can be used to characterize this AP report. Obviously the reporter and AP have an agenda. The law is not to blame for the child's death, the parents are.
Well, that's pretty much
January 27, 2008 - 13:01 ET by motherbeltWell, that's pretty much the AP for you.
As far as they're concerned, our laws are the only reason anyone is here illegally.
As usual blame America
January 27, 2008 - 11:10 ET by BlazerAs usual blame America first, but I digress. Perhap's if these law's were actually being enforced more, or if the wall or fence was in place these people wouldn't be here in the first place to project thier blame.
The moment "racist" or "Nazi" is injected into the argument all rational discussion automatically ceases. I say anyone who interject's those brand's on anyone while being a criminal invader is a hypocrite with no credibility and anyone who gives them a platform to do so an accomplice who's aiding and abetting.
That is why there is no need for a discussion, build a strong border deterrent, enforce our law's that's what the only people who actually matter in this discussion want.
Of course the AP will leave out the particular's like just how Ms. Sanchez is a 22 yr. old illegal alien obviously attending a university illegally here and just who's paying for it, housing and feeding her.
These parent's are certainly guilty of child endangerment and perhap's even negligent homicide driven by their selfishness to not respect our law's. These certainly are the kind of people we need here in America.
I say throw the book at em', since we were apt to be paying thier hospital and welfare bill's for them anyway, let them be on the dole behind bar's where criminal's belong. After their sentences are served throw em' back over the border and let em' pray for a McCain or a Dem presidency.
Too bad Mexico doesn't try as hard at trying to keep thier people in, employed, fed and housed as hard as they try at keeping illegal's out of thier own country. Mexico has some of the strictest and most enforced immigration law's on the planet. I say we have a lot to learn from them in that reguard.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
The parents are child killers
January 27, 2008 - 11:10 ET by ArchConservativeThe blame is squarely on the parents. For first, coming here illegally and second for not seeking help for their child. No one has a right to become an American citizen. Just because you're born in Mexico or wherever doesn't give you a right to break the laws and ordinances of any country you feel like entering unlawfully.
Now tangentially, the (d)emocrat party and some on the Republican (ie RiNO) side of the aisle like McCain, should also bear responsibility for giving these people the ideas in their heads that it was ok to either (A) come here illegally in the first place and/or (B) that they would get full amnesty if they stayed.
Oh and by the way you ignorant illegal, you have no idea what Nazi Germany was like if you are comparing our country to it. If it really is like that, then get the hell out and go to a country that 'respects' people like you who break into their country and subvert their laws.
You support the troops by supporting the mission! If you don't support the mission, have the guts to say you don't support the troops.
"Liberal" logic
January 27, 2008 - 11:53 ET by iveseenitallThe AP, as usual, demonstrates typical "liberal" logic. They'll blame anyone but the pertetrators of this "crime"( manslaughter), especially when it fits their assinine agenda. Screwy logic which puts America in the wrong is a "liberal" trait.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
iveseenitall- "liberal Logic" "white Guilt" same thing
January 27, 2008 - 11:54 ET by VT Con ManNot only is it "our fault" it is further reinforced (in the twisted liberal mind) that this tragedy makes their argument untouchable. Afterall, how can you be "against" the children?
Classic liberal tactic. Hold out the victims, and blame it on everyone but the responsible parents.(or irresponsible parents)
Liberal Illogic
January 27, 2008 - 12:06 ET by BlondeI prefer to call it liberal illogic....as in lovely leaps of liberal illogic. Your post perfectly describes liberal illogic.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
ah perfection...
January 27, 2008 - 12:12 ET by VT Con Manshould i be concerned that i understand the libs so well?
know thy enemy...guess not.
Exactly Blonde,
January 27, 2008 - 12:13 ET by BlazerExactly Blonde, liberalism and logic rarely inhabit the same plateu, in fact if liberalism is the peak then logic lives far below the treeline.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Liberals versus Socialists
January 28, 2008 - 12:07 ET by mbuelI don't like calling it "liberalism", because it insults classical liberals like Voltaire. Do you think any modern "Liberal" would fight to the death for your right to speak against him/her?
Call them what they are. Out and out marxist socialists. HELL, Hillary said it herself, she is a progressive (AKA marxist).
The problem for us is that RiNO's (AKA Socialist Lites) Like Guliani, McCain, Huckabee and even Romney to a degree, make me worry that the America that proudly defeated communism, forgot to defeat it's founding principal, socialism. And now both parties want to take from the rich to "equalize" the poor.
As a left-leaning cartoonist in Seattle so aptly pointed out, tell me how Romney's socialized medicine plan is any different from Hillary's? The problem is it's not. The other problem is, he's the most conservative front running candidate, and he's BARELY less socialist than the other 3 I mentioned above!
I agree
January 28, 2008 - 09:30 ET by mbuelGood points.
The only way we are going to stop people from coming illegaly:
1) End 95% of the Welfare. This could not be instaneous and would take time, but it would also solve the other side of the coin...
2) Fine employers who hire illegals. You do this and they'll be looking for those people that were just booted off welfare, who currently would rather live off the governments "dole" than do "menial labor".
With #1 enforced, most illegals that are here would leave. And it would force those who are currently doing NOTHING and collecting paychecks to take the jobs the illegals are currently doing.
Of course there is a need for some the TRULY un-hireable to be supported by welfare, that's why I left 5% in there.
AP still the most dangerous
January 27, 2008 - 13:09 ET by timotheThis report by D.S. Hube shows once again that the AP is the most liberal of all liberal news organizations. More liberal than the New York Times. More liberal than CNN and MSNBC.
They are also the most dangerous news outlet because their "news" is perceived as credible.
infant death
January 27, 2008 - 13:11 ET by joeyindcI can't believe that these people have the nerve to claim that our immigration laws regarding illegal aliens is the cause of their child's death. I can't believe that this reporter is making this claim as well. I am sure this lady didn't worry about going to the hospital when this baby was born. I am sure she didn't have any worries when she filled out the SS card and birth certificate for her baby who was a citizen.
I am sure that these illegal aliens won't worry about being deported when they try to file a lawsuit for wrongful death.
I hate it when these people say that they feel like they are living in Nazi Germany because we the people have to gall to protect ourselves from people who sneak across the border, use our roads, schools, court system, dmv, social services for their anchor babies, steal IDs, bankrupt hospitals, overcrowd cities, demand special services for their language needs, they say that we should ignore their crimes because they had to do what they did because our laws don't allow them to do what they want to do. Like immigrate legally, drive legally, pay income taxes. They don't think that they should have to abide by our laws that they don't like, but they do like the laws that work for them. They like the 14th ammendment. They like the santuary laws. They like the free legal help when they need it. They like the laws that force schools to teach their kids in spanish. They like the laws that enable them protest against us.
If these parents really think that their child died because they were afraid to be deported from the hospital, they are stupid. I am sure that their child had medical assistance. There is something else going on here.
Why are we made to feel guilty because these parents did nothing to prevent the death of their baby. It isn't our fault. It is theirs. They should be deported. We don't need more illegals demanding laws be changed for their benefit.
If these people really feel like their are living with Nazis, they should be reminded that they came here on purpose, and they can leave. They should do more to try to blend in, like learn english. Instead they would rather blame us for everything.
The AP are ROUTING the
January 27, 2008 - 13:17 ET by bigtimerThe AP are ROUTING the facts and truth once again...
Ahhh...their good ol' agenda is never-ending...blame the good ol' USA and state laws as long as they are from conservatives with common sense.
The parents are pathetic IMO.
I can assure you
January 27, 2008 - 13:33 ET by DEVILDOCMOMthe illegals here in Arizona have no problem using an emergency room at the drop of a hat. As an ER nurse I see it all the time. In Tucson one of our hospitals dropped their trauma status because of the cost of dealing with illegals and that was a few years ago. We now only have one Level One Trauma center for a city which covers an area of over a million people.
This article so angers me...thank heavens for the people of Oklahoma and their decision on this bill. As for the last comment in the article-the state will be stronger when it has only legal residents.
DDM.... I thought of you
January 27, 2008 - 13:43 ET by bigtimerDDM....
I thought of you when reading this earlier...
Glad to see your excellent post, you should know...you live it.
:)
January 27, 2008 - 14:18 ET by DEVILDOCMOMThanks.
Good ol' America is to be
January 28, 2008 - 05:07 ET by mostlymoderateGood ol' America is to be blamed for everything. I am saddened by the fact that these parents would jeopardize a child like this in order to stay in America illegally. Hopefully this will be a lesson to all the others and they will flee our country at once.
2 bank robbers are blaming
January 28, 2008 - 17:17 ET by Khyris2 bank robbers are blaming strict robbery laws for the killing their child.
Trespassing on bank property after hours, and stealing an undisclosed sum of money to which they were not entitled, two bank robbers are now mourning the senseless death of their toddler, who they had decided to take with them during their larcenous hijinks.
"Well, we couldn't leave the kid at home, or with relatives, and as good parents we wanted the kid to see first hand the great opportunities that can be had following a life of crime." said the mother.
"Yeah, and besides, if we got caught, we thought the kid would make a handy human shield for deflecting criticizm and prosecution... you know... like them Democrats did with that whole S-Chip thing!" added the father.
The parents criticized the federal burglary statutes for directly causing their child's death. "The way we see it, if burglary weren't illegal, we could have robbed those banks in full daylight, and wouldn't be worried about getting caught in a dragnet while taking our kid to the hospital. Why, it's as if those nasty legislators BLUDGEONED the kid to death with the law book themselves."
The ACLU will be filing suit.