Ill Immigrant to Return to Mexico for Care

Ending a months-long search, Mexican authorities have arranged permanent medical treatment for a mentally disabled illegal immigrant who touched off a policy debate over immigration and public health after coming under the care of Ventura County health workers this spring.

Officials at Mexico City’s Vicentino Hospital have agreed to provide long-term care for Amada Morales, a 53-year-old Oxnard woman suffering from tuberculosis and diabetes.

County health workers, who are overseeing Morales’ treatment, said she has the mental capacity of a 6-year-old and will require a permanent caretaker to meet her ongoing medical needs.

But because she is an undocumented immigrant and not eligible for long-term, nonemergency treatment in this country, officials had been forced to search in her native country for someone willing to provide that care.

That search ended last week when the private Mexico City hospital agreed to accept Morales, said Luz Elena Bueno Zirion, spokeswoman for the Mexican Consulate’s office in Oxnard.

“The Mexican government took into account her special circumstances and was able to arrange a good place for her in Mexico,” said Bueno Zirion, who is awaiting clearance from the Ventura County Public Health Department to complete the move.

“I think it turned out to be a good thing,” she said. “A lot of good people were helping this lady.”

For their part, county health officials said Morales should be ready to travel immediately. She is on medication and no longer at risk of spreading tuberculosis, they said. As long as she continues that regimen, there should be no further complications.

“This is the outcome we had hoped for, and we’re very pleased with it,” said Paul Lorenz, director of the county’s public health department. “We are pretty confident she will be in good hands.”

The medical case raised novel questions about immigration law and public health policy, specifically regarding the treatment of illegal immigrants diagnosed with communicable diseases.

But it also demonstrated an extraordinary level of cooperation between governments, with officials balancing their responsibility to protect the health of the community at large with their desire to help Morales find long-term care.

“This is one of those cases that makes you feel good about the system,” said Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Simi Valley). “It was a very complicated situation. But rather than everyone running around pointing fingers, we all worked together toward a common objective.”

Morales came to the attention of public health workers in May, when she showed up at Ventura County Medical Center with tuberculosis.

The disease was rendered noncommunicable with antibiotics, but she remained under the daily supervision of public health workers to ensure that she continue to take her medication.

People infected with tuberculosis are given a series of antibiotics until they test negative for the illness, a process that can take up to nine months.

Health officials said Morales returned to the hospital in late June or early July when the Oxnard family she lives with dropped her off before leaving on a trip. Morales was admitted to the hospital because of further complications caused by diabetes.

At that time, health officials said it became clear that a longer-term solution would be needed.

Unable to find any social support services for her because of her undocumented immigration status, health officials turned to the federal government for help.

Gallegly said the case opened an interesting immigration question, one he had never before encountered. But he said he is pleased that officials on both sides of the border came together to work toward a solution.

“No one was trying to shirk responsibility,” Gallegly said. “Everyone was focused on this very sad situation, but luckily it all worked out.”