Texas Hospital Accused Of Trying To Send Paralyzed Illegal Back To Mexico

[RamboLiberal]

GALVESTON, Texas (CBS Houston) — A Texas medical facility is being accused of pressuring a paralyzed illegal immigrant to return to Mexico.

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has been treating Francisco Martinez for three months since a workplace injury left him paralyzed from the chest down.

Since Martinez does not have insurance, the hospital is trying to point him back to Mexico, according to his wife. Brandi Cullen Valderram, Martinez’s wife, told KHOU-TV that UTMB has been telling them that there’s no other option but for Martinez to return to Mexico, even offering the illegal immigrant a free flight back, which he doesn’t want to accept.

The matter is a complicated one for UTMB, though not an uncommon one, frequently occurring in the border states.

http://houston.cbslocal.com/2011/10/26/texas-hospital-accused-of-trying-to-send-paralyzed-illegal-back-to-mexico/

GALVESTON - Francisco Martinez wasn't happy about the free trip back to Mexico offered to him by a social worker at the University of Texas Medical Branch.

Martinez, 37, of Bacliff, broke his back Aug. 17 after falling off a ladder while working on the roof of a bait shop where he was employed.

UTMB doctors saved his life, but he is paralyzed from the chest down, can barely move his hands and needs special care.

The problem for UTMB is that Martinez is undocumented and has no hope of qualifying for workman's compensation or Medicaid. UTMB is forced to bear the expense of Martinez's care until another place can be found for him to go.

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/UTMB-offers-patient-a-ticket-to-Mexico-2234510.php

[dkf]

1. Does common law wife basically mean "girlfriend" or is it something more significant in re

Immigration law?