IWC Stories of Compassion:
Angie Oviedo, a Social Worker from Christus Children’s Hospital contacted IWC about a mom with a one-year-old daughter from Guatemala. Ms. Castro and her daughter entered the United States in December 2023 through the Eagle Pass, Texas, point of entry. Immediately upon entering the United States, her infant daughter was observed to require emergent medical care and was brought by medical flight to CHRISTUS Children’s Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. Homeland Security then processed and released Ms. Castro and her daughter under an order of Release on Recognizance.
Scarlet was admitted due to respiratory failure secondary to RSV bronchiolitis with superimposed bacterial pneumonia, severe tracheomalacia, and severe malnourishment. She required a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit admission due to the level of respiratory support and risk for cardiorespiratory compromise. Scarlett remained on a monitored bed and received respiratory support in our PICU unit. It was imperative that her mother remain at Scarlett’s hospital bedside to receive patient education, participate in family-centered care rounds, make informed medical decisions, learn, and demonstrate care as appropriate. This was the only way to take her home.
Due to baby Scarlet’s serious medical conditions, the number of medications and medical equipment that the hospital has given her has complicated their ability to travel. IWC Hospitality Coordinator Kabibi Mamuamba was able to help the family with a new suitcase and backpack. IWC provided emotional support to the family, and we could see that Baby Scarlet was so happy and smiling every time she saw us in their room.
Scarlet and her mom had a family in Los Angeles. On their travel day after being discharged from the hospital our Hospitality Coordinator, Kabibi, coordinated the travel plans with Angie, the hospital social worker. Barb Eden, the Airport Coordinator, escorted the family through to TSA. This was very helpful as this was the day that TSA was denying migrants entry through TSA due to a new policy change that was not communicated with migrant-serving agencies. Thank God that the attendant at Southwest Airlines said they could travel with I220 A documents, as the family needed to travel on the designated day. The family arrived safely and was happy to be reunited with family members.
