Guatemala RPCV Lindsay Ortiz writes: Immigrants, be they legal or otherwise, are just as entitled to health care as anyone else in this country



"If you were walking down the street and noticed a Latino person bleeding profusely, would you first stop to verify his or her "legal" status before taking the person to the nearest medical treatment center? While the commissioners court is busy devising ways to deny basic human services to those evil "illegals," millions of immigrants are doing back-breaking work and paying taxes they will never see the benefit of. Yes, they actually pay taxes. If there was a state income tax, they would pay that, too."

Guatemala RPCV Lindsay Ortiz writes: Immigrants, be they legal or otherwise, are just as entitled to health care as anyone else in this country

Help, don't judge

"Illegal immigration spotlight reaches Collin," By Ed Housewright, Sunday Metro.

I am appalled that Commissioner Jerry Hoagland could support such an inhumane policy. What's next, Mr. Hoagland? Do we deny prisoners and felons medical treatment as well? After all, they have also done something illegal. In many cases their crimes (rape, murder, theft) are far worse than crossing a desert for a shot at a better life.

If you were walking down the street and noticed a Latino person bleeding profusely, would you first stop to verify his or her "legal" status before taking the person to the nearest medical treatment center? While the commissioners court is busy devising ways to deny basic human services to those evil "illegals," millions of immigrants are doing back-breaking work and paying taxes they will never see the benefit of. Yes, they actually pay taxes. If there was a state income tax, they would pay that, too.

Unfortunately those two dozen supportive e-mails Mr. Hoagland says he received are from Collin County residents who don't understand these basic facts. I do understand immigration and what drives people to risk their lives and leave their families far behind to come to the United States, despite possible persecution, deportation and inhumane treatment. My husband and I were both Peace Corps volunteers in Guatemala for two years. Developing nations need our help, not our judgment, hatred and superiority.

When I was in Guatemala, I told anyone I could about the perils of immigrating illegally and encouraged them to stay in their home country, seek an education and help Guatemala prosper. Nevertheless, I understood wholeheartedly why they would seek the "American dream" for themselves and would never fault them for going after it. Where we are born is all purely luck of the draw.

Immigrants, be they legal or otherwise, are just as entitled to health care as anyone else in this country.

Lindsay Ortiz, Dallas (Collin County)

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Headlines: December, 2007; Peace Corps Guatemala; Directory of Guatemala RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Guatemala RPCVs; Immigration; Speaking Out; Texas