Unseen Border Patrol cooperation

Covering a story about St. Andrew's Children's Clinic, a free-care children's hospital in Nogales, Arizona, I was surprised to learn about the cooperation they share with the U.S. Border Patrol.

On the first Thursday of every month, volunteer doctors from across the country come to St. Andrew's Church to treat young Mexican children for a number of ailments. The church is turned into a multifaceted doctor's office of sorts, and for the entire day physicians see patients, taking breaks only for breakfast and lunch.

Originally, St. Andrew's Clinic was on the Mexico side of Nogales. Keeping to this tradition and intent, all of the patients that are seen today come from across the border.

With tight immigration regulations, one might think that it would be an extremely difficult process to get these children into the country, even if just for the day, but this is not the case. As it turns out, those who work for St. Andrew's Clinic have a strategic partnership with the Border Patrol and Department of Homeland Security that allows them to send some of their patients as far north as Seattle for special treatments that extend well beyond the typical day-long visa that is granted to most.

St. Andrew's Clinic Executive Director Ted Estrada explained how the process works to me.

The cooperation comes from a mutual understanding of goodwill, as well as a carefully planned humanitarian permit process.

"For every patient that comes across, they are allowed one parent to accompany them. The two are covered by the same permit (or humanitarian visa)," Estrada said.

According to Estrada, off-duty Border Patrol agents come in at 5 a.m. before work to sort out the paperwork and match them up to the patients.

In the event that one of the children should need extended care, an extension on the humanitarian visa is requested.

"We have never had a problem getting them (the Border Patrol) to work with us," Estrada said. "They have never denied a request for more time, but they do have limits on how many permits are allowed."

"It is our responsibility to make sure the children return and we have always done that, so they don't give us any problems," Estrada said.

It is both surprising and refreshing, but most of all heartwarming to see this level cooperation in the face of a controversial topic. When situational politics are overcome by emotional, ethical and moral callings, the bonds that we form are amazing.