Letter to Rep. Dave Schultheis from the Bustillos family

Published October 20, 2006 at midnight

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During the first days of October 2006, our family experienced immeasurable pain due to the loss of Enrique Bustillos (15), Miguel Bustillos (12), and Destiny Musquiz (3 months). Our beloved children are immensely missed by our entire family.

During this difficult time, our family has also experienced the love and support from many in the community. To these friends, some of which we have never met, your love and support is greatly appreciated.

We grieve every minute of every hour of every day. Yet the healing process was brought to an abrupt halt due to questions posed by Republican Rep. Dave Shultheis of Colorado Springs. Unfortunately, Rep. Schultheis has pushed our family into the eye of the storm which is the immigration issue.

Mr. Schultheis, we pray that God provide some sensitivity upon your soul. As a public official, you could have decided to wait for the completion of an investigation yet you chose to make inquiries on the same day that one of our children was being taken off life support. To shift responsibility of your words and actions to a newspaper is unbecoming of an elected official.

Mr. Schultheis, the Bustillos Family asks you:

1. How many other times have you asked these specific questions concerning accidents throughout the entire state?

2. Why not wait until an investigation was completed before making inquiries?

3. Did you verify the legal status of the "constituent" that contacted you regarding this accident?

4. More importantly, what information did you and your "constituent" use as a base to inquire about our deceased children’s status in this Country?

5. Is it your position that all Latinos should be assumed "illegal aliens" unless proven otherwise?

To answer your questions, yes — the car was properly registered and insured. Tania followed the required State of Colorado protocol to obtain a driving permit. ALL THE CHILDREN INVOLVED IN THIS ACCIDENT ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS with the same rights as you and your constituent (if the inquiring person is an American citizen). Their mother, Grasiela, is also an AMERICAN CITIZEN. Their father is a LEGAL RESIDENT.

Mr. Schultheis, with this letter we seek answers and a public apology from you. We wish to avoid further grief upon other families during tragic times.

Here are the answers you seek. Mr. Schultheis, we await your prompt reply to our questions. God bless you.

THE BUSTILLOS FAMILY

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