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.”

US military conducts strike on another boat carrying alleged narco-traffickers, killing 3

New York woman convicted for throwing dynamite at boyfriend, blowing off his hand as he tried to get rid of it

Obama says motive unclear despite manifesto outlining alleged targets in WHCD shooting

White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting: Timeline traces how suspect’s alleged cross-country plan unfolded

Wisconsin Dem’s bar laments ‘we almost got free beer day’ for Trump assassination

Full WHCD Shooter Manifesto: He Told Family He Was Willing to Kill ‘Most Everyone’ at Dinner to Get to Trump

The Reasons Why TDS Still Exists Despite Trump’s Historic Wins

Unearthed video reveals Cole Allen as quiet inventor years before alleged bid to assassinate Trump

At Least 4 Christian Farmers Gunned Down in Their Fields by Motorcycle Mounted Islamists in Nigeria

WHCD shooting suspect planned to target Trump officials, manifesto reveals

What to know about Cole Thomas Allen, the Trump dinner shooting suspect

Breaking: WHCD Gunman Manifesto, Social Accounts Found – He Targeted Trump, Was a ‘No Kings’ Rally Attendee

The Good, the Bad, And the Ugly: Inside Swamp’s New Farm Bill

WHCD Gunman Likely Targeted Trump, Trump Admin Officials: Acting AG

Security under scrutiny as WHCD attendees cite inconsistent screening before shooting

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.