INS In No Hurry To Deport Parents Whose Child Died
Community Raises $400,000 For Oscar Hernandez
POSTED: 9:31 a.m. MST December 9, 2003
UPDATED: 10:31 a.m. MST December 9, 2003
WESTMINSTER -- A Westminster couple facing deportation to Mexico as early as Tuesday will apparently get to stay in Colorado awhile longer.
Pedro and Susanna Hernandez are illegal immigrants who received a humanitarian permit to remain in the country while caring for a
child with leukemia. Oscar Hernandez, 6, died Nov. 23. The humanitarian permit officially expires Tuesday.
But immigration officials said no decision has been made on the family's status, and Special Agent Tony Ruoco said, "It's not on
the front burner."
Coloradoans donated $400,000 so Oscar could have a bone marrow transplant in February at Children's Hospital. Oscar's older brother, Jonathan, donated the bone marrow.
Oscar lived for nine more months.
Oscar's father brought him from Mexico to the United States illegally so that he could get the surgery. The boy's plight caught the attention of community activists, media personalities and lawmakers. His parents didn't have health insurance and weren't eligible for public aid because they entered the country illegally.
Pedro and Susanna Hernandez are illegal immigrants who received a humanitarian permit to remain in the country while caring for a
child with leukemia. Oscar Hernandez, 6, died Nov. 23. The humanitarian permit officially expires Tuesday.
But immigration officials said no decision has been made on the family's status, and Special Agent Tony Ruoco said, "It's not on
the front burner."
Coloradoans donated $400,000 so Oscar could have a bone marrow transplant in February at Children's Hospital. Oscar's older brother, Jonathan, donated the bone marrow.
Oscar lived for nine more months.
Oscar's father brought him from Mexico to the United States illegally so that he could get the surgery. The boy's plight caught the attention of community activists, media personalities and lawmakers. His parents didn't have health insurance and weren't eligible for public aid because they entered the country illegally.
Previous Stories:
- December 3, 2003: Sick Boy Dies 9 Months After Bone Marrow Transplant
- December 19, 2002: Sick Boy With Leukemia To Get Treatment
- December 18, 2002: Sick 5-Year-Old Boy Finds Outpouring Of Help
Copyright 2003 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
