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.”
War powers resolution fails as Senate Republicans stand by Trump on Iran
Florida AG threatens Fauci investigation after Senate hearing
Alex Murdaugh murder trial ‘egg juror’ fights to unseal state investigation into Becky Hill: report
Bryan Kohberger appointed new lawyer after Idaho murders case costs taxpayers over $8 million
Fauci’s Testimony Reminds Us of Blatant Propaganda Americans Paid For: ‘This is Why We Defunded’ NPR, GOP Senator Says
Capitol sex scandals spark push to ban House lawmakers from sleeping with staffers
One of the Most Obnoxious Leftists Made Smug Fauci Prediction, Then Scrambled for Delete Key After Disastrous Hearing Began
We Have Receipts: Four Years Ago, Fauci Said ‘Nothing to Hide,’ ‘Very Happy to Testify’ Before Congress
Can Fauci hide behind the Fifth? Game-changing Biden pardon may not provide complete cover, experts say
Watch: Seattle Top Cop Gives Absurd New Name to Criminal Gangs, Confirms He Was at Black Conference in Texas During Seattle Mass Shooting
‘Woke’ Smithsonian exhibit lionizes embattled Fauci amid conservative scrutiny of museum’s messaging
Trump accused China of an ‘election security nightmare’ but then undercut his own warning
Here’s What We Know About Key Questions Fauci Refused to Answer
How the Big Beautiful Bill became law: Trump the closer
Man sentenced to 6 months in jail for ramming car into Jewish group’s world headquarters in New York
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.
War powers resolution fails as Senate Republicans stand by Trump on Iran
Florida AG threatens Fauci investigation after Senate hearing
Alex Murdaugh murder trial ‘egg juror’ fights to unseal state investigation into Becky Hill: report
Bryan Kohberger appointed new lawyer after Idaho murders case costs taxpayers over $8 million
Fauci’s Testimony Reminds Us of Blatant Propaganda Americans Paid For: ‘This is Why We Defunded’ NPR, GOP Senator Says
Capitol sex scandals spark push to ban House lawmakers from sleeping with staffers
One of the Most Obnoxious Leftists Made Smug Fauci Prediction, Then Scrambled for Delete Key After Disastrous Hearing Began
We Have Receipts: Four Years Ago, Fauci Said ‘Nothing to Hide,’ ‘Very Happy to Testify’ Before Congress
Can Fauci hide behind the Fifth? Game-changing Biden pardon may not provide complete cover, experts say
Watch: Seattle Top Cop Gives Absurd New Name to Criminal Gangs, Confirms He Was at Black Conference in Texas During Seattle Mass Shooting
‘Woke’ Smithsonian exhibit lionizes embattled Fauci amid conservative scrutiny of museum’s messaging
Trump accused China of an ‘election security nightmare’ but then undercut his own warning
Here’s What We Know About Key Questions Fauci Refused to Answer
How the Big Beautiful Bill became law: Trump the closer
Man sentenced to 6 months in jail for ramming car into Jewish group’s world headquarters in New York
“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.
