He was 14-days-old and had a U.S. passport. He flew to Honolulu for medical treatment with his mother (who had a visa) and a nurse traveling on a U.S. passport. They were detained by customs officials. Michael started showing signs of distress when in a locked room. The nurse pleaded with officials to release Michael, arguing that the two of them had valid U.S. passports. Since the problem allegedly was with Michael’s mother’s visa, couldn’t they just release Michael and the nurse?
They couldn’t. And now he is dead.
P.S. The mother’s travel documents were found to be in order.
10 comments
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February 18, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Maine Gay
Where is our common sense? When does the life of a little boy count for less than making sure travel documents are in order?
I don’t know if things like this make me angry…or depressed.
February 18, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Sue
Dear God. Makes you wonder who the real terrorists are.
February 18, 2008 at 10:13 pm
Margaret
senseless! I hope the family wins millions on their suit….although nothing can replace their son.
February 18, 2008 at 11:49 pm
c
The most horrible, heart wrenching aspect of this situation is that this baby’s death was easily preventable. If only good judgement could’ve been exercised! Even if they “couldn’t leave” why not bring paramedics into the room sooner?
He was a baby for God’s sake!
February 20, 2008 at 2:01 am
Links Feb 19 2008 « Automatic Preference
[...] R.I.P. Michael Futi, at Resist Racism. A 14 day old infant died while detained by U.S. customs officials. He was traveling for medical treatment with his mother, both on valid U.S. passports. [...]
February 20, 2008 at 6:13 am
Malik
Monstrous.
March 11, 2008 at 10:18 am
links for 2008-03-11 at Racialicious - the intersection of race and pop culture
[...] R.I.P. Michael Futi – Resist racism “Since the problem allegedly was with Michael’s mother’s visa, couldn’t they just release Michael and the nurse? They couldn’t. And now he is dead. P.S. The mother’s travel documents were found to be in order.” (tags: immigration) [...]
March 11, 2008 at 12:17 pm
expatjane
Absolutely horrible.
I don’t see why they didn’t release the child with the nurse. Stupid and short-sighted bureaucracy strikes again and this time it’s lethal.
That’s just shameful.
March 14, 2008 at 7:07 pm
erinberry
Beyond horrifying.
January 21, 2009 at 12:58 am
Samm
I don’t know why the Hawaiian Immigration & Customs didn’t release the baby and the nurse…I were in charge…fire all those people in the immigration who had stopped the baby from being treated….baby killer