Girl was 14, immigrant

By Zahira Torres / El Paso Times

Concerns over immigration issues continued this weekend after a girl who was found on the side of a highway near Fabens and later died was identified as a 14-year-old immigrant from El Salvador.

Lady Lorena Vijil Claros was taken to Del Sol Medical Center on Thursday night and died later that night.

Preliminary autopsy results indicate the cause of death as an embolism, which is caused when blood clots block an artery. A final autopsy report was not available as of press time.

"We will continue to follow up reports that she was transported into this country illegallyÉ perhaps by a coyote," or smuggler, Rick Glancey, director of public affairs for the El Paso County Sheriff's Office, said in a news release.

"It appears she took ill and may have been left behind. If that is the case, we may be looking potentially at criminal negligent homicide. Right now this case serves as a reminder of the dangers of human trafficking," Glancey said in the statement.

Criminal negligent homicide is a state jail felony punishable by up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

According to the sheriff's department, Claros asked for help after an unidentified man and woman spotted her in the 16900 block of Texas 20, which is Alameda Avenue in El Paso.

The pair took her to a home at the 1300 block of Leaf in Fabens and called 911.

Local immigrant-rights advocates said they are concerned that strict immigration guidelines lead immigrants to desperate measures, such as seeking coyotes to help them cross the border.

"This is the part of the immigration debate that gets ignored a lot," said Iliana Holguin, executive director for Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services. "We are talking about people who are fleeing their countries to avoid tragic and dangerous situations. Unfortunately, it takes something like this to make us see the tragic side of the immigration issue."

Ouisa Davis, an immigrant-rights advocate, said women who cannot keep up with a group or fall ill are particularly vulnerable to dangerous situations.

"Many times they are coming to accompany family, work or just run away from an abusive situation," Davis said, adding that she hopes an attempt has been made to reach Claros' parents. "Because of this tragedy there is a mother out there who no longer has her daughter."

Officials at the El Salvador Consulates in Houston and Dallas could not be reached for comment.

Deputies are seeking the public's help as they continue to investigate the case. Anyone with information should call 546-2280.

Zahira Torres may be reached at ztorres@elpasotimes.com; 546-6156.

Blood clot killed El Salvadoran teen

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_3768038