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.”
Thune-aligned groups unleash historic war chest to defend Senate majority: ‘Winning message’
AI’s massive appetite for power, water ignites fight in high-stakes Texas Senate race
Linda McMahon vows crackdown on teachers sexually harassing students: ‘Must end’
Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from WNBA game after courtside confrontation with WNBA player
Suspect in deaths of 5 found dead after cops uncover grim scene at rural property outside Portland
Lindsay Clancy’s three child victims forgotten amid crowds of support: mother of six
College grad reportedly dies in Six Flags roller coaster incident as family sues theme park
California dad paralyzed from neck down after diving into ocean to rescue child
City in Anti-2A State Has 7 Times the Murders of Cities in State That Respects Gun Rights
House Ethics Committee Opens Investigation Into Democrat Rep Jimmy Gomez For Sexual Misconduct
Harvard Still Employs Professor Whose Emails with Epstein Mentioned Spies And Torture
WATCH: Young bear takes rough tumble from Denver tree after wildlife officers tranquilize it
The Green New Deal Is Back: Its Next Target – AI
American Airlines flight lands safely after laptop battery catches fire on board; passenger injured
Jury Slaps Down Burglar’s $10M Suit Against Urine-Tossing Business Owner Who Shot Him
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.
Thune-aligned groups unleash historic war chest to defend Senate majority: ‘Winning message’
AI’s massive appetite for power, water ignites fight in high-stakes Texas Senate race
Linda McMahon vows crackdown on teachers sexually harassing students: ‘Must end’
Enes Kanter Freedom ejected from WNBA game after courtside confrontation with WNBA player
Suspect in deaths of 5 found dead after cops uncover grim scene at rural property outside Portland
Lindsay Clancy’s three child victims forgotten amid crowds of support: mother of six
College grad reportedly dies in Six Flags roller coaster incident as family sues theme park
California dad paralyzed from neck down after diving into ocean to rescue child
City in Anti-2A State Has 7 Times the Murders of Cities in State That Respects Gun Rights
House Ethics Committee Opens Investigation Into Democrat Rep Jimmy Gomez For Sexual Misconduct
Harvard Still Employs Professor Whose Emails with Epstein Mentioned Spies And Torture
WATCH: Young bear takes rough tumble from Denver tree after wildlife officers tranquilize it
The Green New Deal Is Back: Its Next Target – AI
American Airlines flight lands safely after laptop battery catches fire on board; passenger injured
Jury Slaps Down Burglar’s $10M Suit Against Urine-Tossing Business Owner Who Shot Him
“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.
