http://cbs4denver.com/local/local_story_324135202.html

Nov 20, 2006

Officials Help Ailing Illegal Immigrants Go Home
(AP) DENVER Mexican officials have agreed to transport some illegal immigrants with serious medical needs back to Mexico and help them find appropriate health care there, Denver health officials said.

Under an agreement between the Mexican Consulate in Denver and the Denver Health and Hospital Authority, patients receiving kidney dialysis who are willing to return will be sent to the consulate, The Denver Post reported Monday.

Mexican officials also will repatriate other illegal immigrants with other serious medical needs, said Juan Marcos Gutierrez, Mexico's consul general in Denver. However, there are no assurances that the health care there would be free.

"I won't repatriate someone with the flu or a cold," he said. "We are talking chronic diseases, difficult medical conditions."

Patricia Gabow, chief of the Denver Health and Hospital Authority, said several patients have already been sent to the consulate. Mexican officials said six were in the process of heading home to continue dialysis treatment there. Gutierrez was not sure how many people would qualify.

Some illegal immigrants said they have little incentive to return because health care in Mexico is not comparable to what they get in the United States.

Eliona Meza, who said has lived in the U.S. illegally for 12 years, said returning to Mexico would threaten the life of her son, a U.S. citizen who suffers from Down syndrome and congenital heart defects.

She said she has remained in the United States to ensure her son gets proper treatment, including surgeries, medication and checkups.