Guo Zhangcong, a 37-year-old delivery man, suffered serious injuries last month after being assaulted in Philadelphia. The Fujienese man did not call the police or seek medical treatment, however, for fear of being arrested for his illegal immigration status, and died on May 17.

Friends and families of Guo sought help from Yeh Bingching, consultant to the chairman of Fujienese American Association, and revealed that Guo was under order of deportation from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, after his application for political asylum was rejected.

While out delivering a food order last month in Philadelphia, Guo was mugged by four club-carrying African-American men and suffered severe internal injuries. However, due to a recent news story of a Bronx delivery man whose illegal immigration status was exposed after being trapped in an elevator, Guo worried that the same thing could happen to him and decided not to contact the police or go to a hospital. Instead, he sought medical attention at an underground medical clinic in New York’s Chinatown.

According to family and friends, Guo continued to work part-time at the restaurant despite his severe injuries. Three days before his death, his condition took a turn for the worse, yet he still refused to seek medical help. The situation only came to light after Guo was discovered dead at home.

Guo entered the United States illegally in 2001. He is survived by his elderly parents, a sister, and a newborn son, who all live in his hometown of Fuziou in southeastern China. His wife has been missing since his mugging.

Among those who aided in Guo’s funeral arrangements was Lin Yingchang, secretary general of the Greater Philadelphia Fujienese American Association, who voiced deep sympathy on behalf of Philadelphia’s Chinese community. He said that the United States’ anti-immigrant policies have kept many illegal immigrants in need of medical attention from seeking help.

Yeh, a prominent leader in the Fujienese community, met with Guo’s family and donated a casket for the funeral held on May 23. Since Guo’s family decided to keep the news of his death from his aging parents, his cremated remains will be temporarily kept at a temple and will be sent home at a date to be determined.

Yeh called on illegal immigrants to respect their rights and urged them to seek medical help when in need.

The New York Immigration Coalition reminds new immigrants that help is available to them, such as Emergency Medicaid, regardless of their immigration status.