News Opinons Politics

Sheila Jackson Lee Demanded ‘Internal Task Force’ To Investigate Child Deaths – Then She Was Reminded It Already Exists

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.”


Mamdani-backed socialist with history of anti-American rhetoric wins vicious Dem primary race
GOP voters pick Trump-backed nominee in battle to flip crucial House seat
Meet the Republican challengers vying to unseat New York’s congressional Democrats
Investigators revisit Florida serial killer case as search resumes for possible additional victims
Iranian World Cup Fans Defy Regime and FIFA with Banned Displays of Resistance
Biden-appointed judge ripped after blocking ICE arrests at immigration courts
Video: Facing 20 Years, $250k Fine, Nazi-Obsessed, Anti-ICE Woman Pleads Guilty to Punching Officer in Face
Florida man allegedly kidnapped teen girl and hid her inside a clothes dryer before she called 911
Dozens of Dem Lawmakers Push to Make Sure Parents Can’t Tell If Kids’ TV Shows Push Transgender Ideology
Illegal Alien Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Aiding Tren de Aragua Mass Shooting
Trump endorsement streak gets unusual boost with South Carolina GOP governor nomination
Trump scores major win as Congress passes housing crackdown on Wall Street investors
Authors of new Trump book reveal his health is the one mystery they couldn’t crack
Ultra-Orthodox Jews become political football for Netanyahu
Former SLED investigator who testified at Alex Murdaugh trial fired from Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
See also  PHOTOS: Best moments from Obama’s presidential center opening

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.


Mamdani-backed socialist with history of anti-American rhetoric wins vicious Dem primary race
GOP voters pick Trump-backed nominee in battle to flip crucial House seat
Meet the Republican challengers vying to unseat New York’s congressional Democrats
Investigators revisit Florida serial killer case as search resumes for possible additional victims
Iranian World Cup Fans Defy Regime and FIFA with Banned Displays of Resistance
Biden-appointed judge ripped after blocking ICE arrests at immigration courts
Video: Facing 20 Years, $250k Fine, Nazi-Obsessed, Anti-ICE Woman Pleads Guilty to Punching Officer in Face
Florida man allegedly kidnapped teen girl and hid her inside a clothes dryer before she called 911
Dozens of Dem Lawmakers Push to Make Sure Parents Can’t Tell If Kids’ TV Shows Push Transgender Ideology
Illegal Alien Teacher Arrested for Allegedly Aiding Tren de Aragua Mass Shooting
Trump endorsement streak gets unusual boost with South Carolina GOP governor nomination
Trump scores major win as Congress passes housing crackdown on Wall Street investors
Authors of new Trump book reveal his health is the one mystery they couldn’t crack
Ultra-Orthodox Jews become political football for Netanyahu
Former SLED investigator who testified at Alex Murdaugh trial fired from Charleston County Sheriff’s Office
See also  Marjorie Taylor Greene follows Tucker Carlson in ditching the ‘America Last’ Republican Party

“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.

Share this article:
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter