A hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey deported an unconscious man back to Poland shortly after he’d suffered a debilitating stroke. The man had been living in the US illegally for 30 years, but the hospital is said to have made the decision based on the man’s lack of health insurance.

A hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey deported a reportedly unconscious man back to Poland shortly after he’d suffered a debilitating stroke.

The man had been living in the US illegally for 30 years, but the hospital is said to have made the decision based on the man’s lack of health insurance.

The little known practice that allowed them to do so is called “medical repatriation”. The hospital is required to stabilize the patients falling under this umbrella, but that’s it.

The decision to deport patients can be unilateral and no involvement from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is required.

What is necessary is consent from either the patient, their family, or a court-appointed guardian. All involved, other than the hospital, say this didn’t happen.

The consulate said they were trying to arrange a court appointed guardian when the man, who is estranged from his daughters in Poland, was deported.

Regardless, the man now lies in a hospital bed in Poland. He has since regained consciousness but remains unable to speak and communicate with his caregivers.