Some See Julio as Prop. 187 Martyr, While Others Refuse to Take Blame

Two important points have been missing in the coverage regarding the tragic death of 12-year-old Julio Cano, whose undocumented immigrant parents delayed seeking medical care for him at least in large part out of fear of deportation on account of Proposition 187.

First, Proposition 187 proponents excuse the tragedy simply by saying that Julio’s parents should have known that enforcement of the law has been put on hold by the courts. But nowhere have they explained how such tragic consequences are to be excused if they succeed in their legal efforts to uphold this controversial initiative.

Second and most telling, there has been NO report that the parents and family will return to Mexico because of Proposition 187. Quite the contrary--The Times reported on Nov. 26 that the family would not even accompany the child’s body on its trip back to Mexico. It’s time to admit that the opponents of Proposition 187 were right--immigrants come here (with or without legal documentation) for JOBS. Withholding public services will not send them back. Rather it will only create public health and safety risks and make it easier and less expensive for unscrupulous employers to exploit this cheap source of labor. If we are serious about punishing lawbreakers and controlling illegal immigration, we need to chase the lawbreaking employers who violate federal law by hiring undocumented workers.

STEVEN J. DZIDA

Costa Mesa

* Your splashy coverage of the death of Julio Cano as the proximate result of Proposition 187 commits The Times to give equal prominence to deaths that occur because of illegal immigration. Specifically, whenever an illegal alien pulls the trigger or runs a red light and death occurs, it belongs on Page A1.

To date, The Times has generally declined to give residency status of those who break the law. Perhaps you decided that this was prejudicial to certain ethnic groups that would disproportionately have its members so identified. Latino activists have freed you from this constraint. By taking the name of a dead 12-year-old as a battle cry, they have renounced anonymity for illegal immigrants. They are willing to stake their case on the merits and demerits of the illegals who live among us.

NED McCUNE

Costa Mesa

* Dear Proposition 187 proponents: Don’t wimp out now. The first death that can be attributed to your initiative has occurred. Take credit for it. Your oft-stated purpose was to make life so miserable and unbearable for illegals that they would self-deport. Well, don’t back down now. Stand up for what you believe in and claim credit where credit is due.

DELLENA MONTANO

Anaheim

* I voted for Proposition 187, but I feel sorry for the family of Julio Cano. But it appears that the family of Julio has replaced grief with the desire to make everyone who voted for Proposition 187 feel guilty. I don’t. Proposition 187 had nothing to do with that young man’s death.

Also the Center for Human Rights & Constitutional Law should be ashamed of using this young man’s death to further their political viewpoint.

Why is it The Times gives more space to a story like this than they do when a law enforcement officer gets killed?

T.S. WIGGINS

Buena Park

* It is shameless journalism at best from your newspaper. Any medical expert would tell you leukemia does not develop in the human body in two weeks. If this young man had leukemia, it would have shown up on a blood test long before Proposition 187 passed. If anyone should be sued it should be the doctor or clinic who failed to issue a blood test to detect leukemia. Leukemia most always is a fatal disease, and the supporters of Proposition 187 are not to blame for this boy’s death. This problem appeared in this young man’s body a long time before Proposition 187 was voted on.

Shame on your newspaper for misinformation, lies and withholding the truth. How many LEGAL residents have been denied health care because they have no insurance and do not have the funds to access medical care? My sympathy has always been with the taxpayer, not with lawbreakers.

JANET L. McCAMMON

Costa Mesa