Still Surviving

It was a little more than a year and a half ago that The Times first published a human-interest story about Juan Camacho, an illegal alien who endured a 92-hour struggle for survival. He was struck down by a hit-and-run driver while walking on Interstate 5. He was thrown into the bushes in the median where he lay seriously injured for days until discovered and “Lifeflighted” to Scripps Memorial Hospital, where he remained for over a month.

The Times story centered on this fellow’s gritty battle for life and the subsequent clamoring of media attention, donations, letters and cards from well-wishers. Even former President Ronald Reagan sent him a letter.

As of June 7, 1990, Juan’s hospital bills had reached $130,000, and whatever the final tab was, it was paid for by taxpayers and Scripps Memorial Hospital.

Upon being released from the hospital, Juan went home to Oaxaca, Mexico to recuperate. He took with him a sigh of relief and the heartfelt prayers of hundreds of U.S. well-wishers plus a few thousand dollars in donations.

Guess who’s back? It’s Juan, and he is not only “Back from the Dead” as described in a follow-up Times’ article (Feb. 23), he is back in San Diego County ripping off the same taxpaying folks who picked up his medical tab.

Juan, it seems, did not fare too well in his business dealings in Oaxaca, so he again illegally entered the United States and moved in with 14 relatives in Linda Vista. This time Juan did not come alone and, by his own admission, paid a woman with a “green card” from his village to smuggle in his pregnant girlfriend. He is now the unemployed, proud father of a 3-month-old girl delivered at taxpayer expense, who is entitled to certain social service and support benefits as well as a free education.

I really can’t fault Juan too much for taking advantage of U.S. taxpayers. After all, he is a survivor in the true sense of the word. However, I have a real problem understanding why anyone would want to make a hero out of him and perhaps encourage him into believing that he is doing all right. This is simply not the case and shouldn’t be treated as such. He breaks our law every time he illegally enters the United States. He broke the law by walking on a dangerous California freeway, and he broke the law by paying someone to smuggle in his girlfriend.

While it is possibly true that his patron saint did not let him down, it is undeniably true that the taxpaying U.S. citizens did not let him down; nor are they letting him down today. However, it is a little difficult for some of us not to feel a little let down or betrayed by Juan. After all, nobody enjoys being played for a sucker; especially after extending a life-saving helping hand.

BEN J. SEELEY, Imperial Beach