Heartbroken Mexican parents are denied last chance to visit terminally ill daughter

In an incredibly sad story that brought tears to my eyes, two Mexican parents were denied entry to the United States to say goodbye to their ill daughter, 26-year-old Houson resident, Maria Sanchez. Just four days later, Sanchez passed away in her home from an inoperable spinal tumor. So heartbreaking!

U.S. Customs and Border Protection denied the humanitarian parole that would have allowed Sanchez's parents to enter the U.S. and visit their daughter whom they hadn't seen in nine years.  Apparently, the agency said that the special grant was only permitted a "very compelling emergency." Um…HELLO? How does saying goodbye to your dying child not constitute a compelling emergency? I mean if that doesn't, what does?

But to make matters even more upsetting, this wasn't the first time that Sanchez suffered unfairly because of her illegal status. About two years ago, the University of Texas Medical Branch threw her out right before a scheduled surgery after discovering she was undocumented. At the time, the hospital suggested that she seek treatment in Mexico.

Read more ¿Qué más?: Bad translation or obvious discrimination against Latinos?

How can anyone do something like that? All those people must not have hearts or souls, because I don't think I could ever be capable of treating a family so poorly while they're going through such a difficult ordeal.

Sanchez's husband (who is now a single parent to 5-year-old daughter, Melissa) is planning on sending his wife's body to Mexico for burial--which I hope means that her parents will get a chance to hold a funeral and give their daughter a proper goodbye that they deserved to have before her death.

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