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.”

Trump confirms Pentagon plans for 25th anniversary of 9/11 attacks, disputes report on Ground Zero absence

Pop star-turned-Dem candidate’s defense of graphic murder video resurfaces in key House race

Florida Woman Kills Man Arrested for Murdering His Father

NBA Vet Enes Kanter Freedom Sends Letter with 5 Deadly Questions to WNBA Commissioner After Ejection from Arena

Dolly Parton: Tribute to an American icon

Trump’s tougher round-two birthright citizenship strategy hinges on key legal distinction, experts say

Trump administration helps end Armenia and Azerbaijan’s forever war

Appeals court delivers unsettling ruling — and says Supreme Court left it no choice

Meet the MAGA-rapping sticker mogul running to replace Elise Stefanik in Congress

‘Tony’ is an annoying, unimpressive biopic of Anthony Bourdain

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott moves to cut state funding for AI-powered Flock cameras amid privacy concerns

WATCH: Wanted man escapes cops twice by running onto freeway, then walks into their Panda Express lunch

Nashville airport could be renamed in honor of Dolly Parton

NYC Judge Frees Man Accused of Shooting Service Dog of Woman with Down Syndrome While Attempting to Kill Man

Big Bend border wall construction pause extended to September

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.