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 administration blocks Venezuela from paying Maduro’s legal bills amid federal charges

Murder suspect in Baltimore robbery spree was on probation, records show

Authorities preparing to return home of Nancy Guthrie back to family: report

Some of the most notable guests at Trump’s 2026 State of the Union: photos

Trump’s ‘war on fraud’ draws range of reactions during SOTU speech

Former top Harris adviser ignites backlash over ‘political props’ comment targeting USA men’s hockey team

The Laundering of Iran’s Atrocities: How Western Voices Became a Shield for the Islamic Republic’s Mass Killings

Capitol Tea: Jim Justice, of Babydog fame, offers to take over Tillis dog parade

Karoline Leavitt Drops List of Policies Dems Wouldn’t Stand For, Including Voter ID and Fewer Murders

GOP to campaign on Democrats picking illegal immigrants over Americans at State of the Union

Thune floats White House lifeline for unpaid DHS workers as shutdown drags on

Brandon Herrera calls for GOP leadership to pressure Tony Gonzales to exit Texas race after House of Cards-level scandal

Former CNN Host Don Lemon is Being Sued for Emotional Distress Following Minnesota Church Stunt: ‘Appeared to Take Satisfaction in the Disruption’

Even The New York Times Admitted That Trump Trapped Dems During SOTU When They Refused to Stand for Americans

Sen. Chuck Schumer Defends Democrats’ Decision to Sit During SOTU, After Trump Invited Them to Stand if They Support Americans Over Illegals

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.