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.”
Senate Democrat Facing Court-Martial Over Video Encouraging Military Personnel to Defy Trump
Leftists Accidentally Prove Therapist Correct After He Declares ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ Is Real
Deep-pocketed conservative group once at odds with Trump now all-in to ‘help him win’
Federal judge dismisses James Comey, Letitia James indictments
DOJ Reveals ‘Damning’ Evidence Against Letitia James in New Court Filing
Alert: Bill and Hillary Clinton Ordered to Comply with House Oversight Subpoenas, Contempt Charges Already Being Threatened
Mike Johnson says House GOP working full steam ahead on Trump’s ‘affordability agenda’
Trump says those against tariffs ‘serving hostile foreign interests,’ ‘full benefit’ yet to be seen
Masked thieves in South American crime ring loot American homes in coordinated pattern, police warn
Chicago public schools blow millions on travel while students can’t read at grade level and more top headlines
Christianity Today Hires Woke Female CEO Amid Continued Liberal Shift
Where illegal immigrants find work in the US
Nikki Haley’s Gen Z Son Gains Online Following, Charts Different Course from Mother
Trump kicks off Thanksgiving week with turkey pardon and Christmas tree arrival
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene slaps down notion that she’s eyeing a presidential run
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.
Senate Democrat Facing Court-Martial Over Video Encouraging Military Personnel to Defy Trump
Leftists Accidentally Prove Therapist Correct After He Declares ‘Trump Derangement Syndrome’ Is Real
Deep-pocketed conservative group once at odds with Trump now all-in to ‘help him win’
Federal judge dismisses James Comey, Letitia James indictments
DOJ Reveals ‘Damning’ Evidence Against Letitia James in New Court Filing
Alert: Bill and Hillary Clinton Ordered to Comply with House Oversight Subpoenas, Contempt Charges Already Being Threatened
Mike Johnson says House GOP working full steam ahead on Trump’s ‘affordability agenda’
Trump says those against tariffs ‘serving hostile foreign interests,’ ‘full benefit’ yet to be seen
Masked thieves in South American crime ring loot American homes in coordinated pattern, police warn
Chicago public schools blow millions on travel while students can’t read at grade level and more top headlines
Christianity Today Hires Woke Female CEO Amid Continued Liberal Shift
Where illegal immigrants find work in the US
Nikki Haley’s Gen Z Son Gains Online Following, Charts Different Course from Mother
Trump kicks off Thanksgiving week with turkey pardon and Christmas tree arrival
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene slaps down notion that she’s eyeing a presidential run
“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.
