Texas Democratic Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee demanded there be an “internal” DHS task force to investigate child migrant deaths, but then was informed that such an entity already exists.
“I believe there should be an internal task force set up dealing with children, dealing with children’s death,” Jackson Lee said Wednesday during a House Homeland Security hearing. She was speaking to Kevin McAleenan, the acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “My question to you is: Will you set up an internal in-house task force to deal with … these deaths, to find what solutions should be put in place?”
The acting DHS secretary then informed Jackson Lee that the task force she was describing already exists within the department.
“We already have internal task forces working these issues,” McAleenan responded. In response, Jackson Lee asked for the names of the individuals involved because Americans are “outraged.”
Not Only Is Radical, Senile Maxine Waters Refusing to Retire at 87, She Could Chair Powerful Committee Come Next January
Netflix Hikes Prices for Second Time in Just Over a Year
NASA races to build moon base as US challenges China in new space race
Soros-backed group among liberal orgs pumping eye-popping cash into Virginia gerrymandering effort
Scouting America moves to shed ‘woke’ label with major recommitment to military, traditional American values
Spanish government’s Jimmy Gracey autopsy claims stump forensic expert: ‘problem for me’
Texas Man Lashes Out in Stabbing Attack After Hearing Bible Conversation
Blue State Senator Admits How Democrats Prioritize Illegals in Resurfaced Clip
House GOP rams through new DHS funding plan with shutdown far from over
Facial recognition helped crack alleged student murder by illegal migrant – new bill could ban it: ret. cop
Schumer’s prized 2026 recruits won’t commit to keeping him as Senate leader
Trump administration locks out Greg Bovino from all social media accounts
Spanberger denies ‘deal’ with swing-district Democrat as gerrymandering claims abound statewide
Cruz warns ‘radical Democrats’ will ‘burn it down’ if they win back Congress
House Republicans pass rival DHS plan, setting up Senate fight as shutdown set to become longest in history
The exchange follows the death of a 16-year-old Guatemalan migrant who passed away while in Border Patrol custody.
The Guatemalan boy was apprehended on May 13 for illegally crossing the U.S. border near Hidalgo, Texas. He was diagnosed with the flu and prescribed medicine Sunday after telling medical staff he didn’t feel well. However, he was found unresponsive by Monday morning while in the Weslaco Station in Texas.
Following news of the boy’s death, Customs and Border Protection immediately announced that “an independent and thorough review of the circumstances” would be conducted. The facility that housed him has since stopped taking in new migrants after a high number of detainees began reporting flu-like symptoms.
The boy’s death — the fifth in Border Patrol custody since December — has sparked renewed outrage from Democratic lawmakers.
McAleenan said that DHS is already working to beef up medical resources to better accommodate the huge influx of families and children arriving at the border, informing Jackson Lee that 55 medical professionals are “on board” in El Paso alone to care for migrants.
Not Only Is Radical, Senile Maxine Waters Refusing to Retire at 87, She Could Chair Powerful Committee Come Next January
Netflix Hikes Prices for Second Time in Just Over a Year
NASA races to build moon base as US challenges China in new space race
Soros-backed group among liberal orgs pumping eye-popping cash into Virginia gerrymandering effort
Scouting America moves to shed ‘woke’ label with major recommitment to military, traditional American values
Spanish government’s Jimmy Gracey autopsy claims stump forensic expert: ‘problem for me’
Texas Man Lashes Out in Stabbing Attack After Hearing Bible Conversation
Blue State Senator Admits How Democrats Prioritize Illegals in Resurfaced Clip
House GOP rams through new DHS funding plan with shutdown far from over
Facial recognition helped crack alleged student murder by illegal migrant – new bill could ban it: ret. cop
Schumer’s prized 2026 recruits won’t commit to keeping him as Senate leader
Trump administration locks out Greg Bovino from all social media accounts
Spanberger denies ‘deal’ with swing-district Democrat as gerrymandering claims abound statewide
Cruz warns ‘radical Democrats’ will ‘burn it down’ if they win back Congress
House Republicans pass rival DHS plan, setting up Senate fight as shutdown set to become longest in history
“These tragedies are devastating to us, and they are avoidable,” the DHS secretary said during the hearing. He used his time with lawmakers to not only request additional funds to address the crisis, but also called for legislative reforms to allow immigration officials to have “additional authorities” when handling unaccompanied minors from Central America.
“Our immigration system is full and we are well beyond our capacity at every stage of the process,” he said.
Story cited here.
