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 defends Minneapolis federal enforcement, says crime plunged after ‘thousands of criminals’ removed
Far-left group with foreign ties undermining US under guise of protest, report warns
SCOOP: Trump ally Kid Rock jumps into key governor’s race with high-profile endorsement
The world’s top nuclear powers have no arsenal limits, here are the countries with nukes
Affirmative Action Quotas in Question as Female, Minority Pilots Caused Half of Pilot-Error Crashes
The single crushing problem American cattle ranchers wish Trump would fix instead
‘The View’ Under FCC Investigation Over Interview with Texas Dem
‘We Will Pay’: Savannah Guthrie Responds to Kidnapper Demands Via Video
Turning Point USA’s ‘All-American Halftime Show’: Everything you need to know
American Skiers Buried Under Avalanche of Criticism Over Anti-ICE Comments
Super Bowl Sunday: Here are some of the political, social commercials you can expect during the big game
Op-Ed: In a Politically Divided America, Where Does Relocation Fit In?
LA city councilwoman previously backed by DSA running for mayor in primary challenge to former ally Bass
Details on Maine Plane Crash Victims Released: They Were Researching up to $30k-per-Night Destination for Wealthy Travelers
Chief CNN Analyst: Not One Racial Group in America Is Falling for the Dems’ Lies on Voter ID Laws
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.
Trump defends Minneapolis federal enforcement, says crime plunged after ‘thousands of criminals’ removed
Far-left group with foreign ties undermining US under guise of protest, report warns
SCOOP: Trump ally Kid Rock jumps into key governor’s race with high-profile endorsement
The world’s top nuclear powers have no arsenal limits, here are the countries with nukes
Affirmative Action Quotas in Question as Female, Minority Pilots Caused Half of Pilot-Error Crashes
The single crushing problem American cattle ranchers wish Trump would fix instead
‘The View’ Under FCC Investigation Over Interview with Texas Dem
‘We Will Pay’: Savannah Guthrie Responds to Kidnapper Demands Via Video
Turning Point USA’s ‘All-American Halftime Show’: Everything you need to know
American Skiers Buried Under Avalanche of Criticism Over Anti-ICE Comments
Super Bowl Sunday: Here are some of the political, social commercials you can expect during the big game
Op-Ed: In a Politically Divided America, Where Does Relocation Fit In?
LA city councilwoman previously backed by DSA running for mayor in primary challenge to former ally Bass
Details on Maine Plane Crash Victims Released: They Were Researching up to $30k-per-Night Destination for Wealthy Travelers
Chief CNN Analyst: Not One Racial Group in America Is Falling for the Dems’ Lies on Voter ID Laws
“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.
