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.”

Artists cancel New Year’s Eve shows following ‘Trump–Kennedy Center’ rebrand

Watch: Scott Jennings Refuses to Let CNN Panel Twist Minnesota’s Somali Fraud Scandal

Rob and Michele Reiner Records Abruptly Sealed After Move by LAPD

Republicans eye Iowa Senate supermajority in Tuesday special election

Australian authorities say Bondi Beach suspects with Islamic State flags not part of ‘terrorist cell’

Saudi Arabia strikes Mukalla port over ‘extremely dangerous’ actions by ally UAE

Minnesota Dem Senate candidate faces call from opponent to apologize over viral ‘pandering’ hijab video

Corporate Media Outlets Turning a Blind Eye to Minnesota Fraud Involving Somalis

Minnesota State-Licensed ‘Day Care’ Has Listed Number Taking You To Tim Walz’s Office

Fetterman endorses prospect of potential future strikes to derail any Iranian nuclear ambitions

Armed Americans fight back: Inside 2025’s most gripping self-defense shootings across the US

2025 Most Memorable Heartwarming Moments: December 30, 2025

Trump’s latest funding cuts dampen bipartisan dealmaking in 2026

Trump’s Top 10 Campaign Promises Fulfilled in First Year

Texas antifa terrorism case: Confessions mount as Trump DOJ clinches more convictions

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.