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.”

Three US Service Members Killed, Five Seriously Wounded During Operation Epic Fury Against Iran

Burger King Is Altering Its Flagship Burger for the First Time in Nearly 10 Years

Deadly Austin shooting that killed 3 may be ‘act of terrorism,’ FBI says

9 people injured in mass shooting at Riverfront Live in Cincinnati

Enemy within: Counterterrorism experts fear sleeper cells could be poised inside US

Kamala Harris Intervenes at Last Second in TX Dem Senate Race, Endorses Jasmine Crockett

GOP warns Democrats’ DHS shutdown could jeopardize World Cup security

Nancy Guthrie abduction sparks fears over senior safety in affluent communities: expert

Austin Police Kill Armed Gunman After 3 Die, 14 Wounded Bar Shooting

‘I Love Trump’: Viral Videos Show Iranians Praising Trump, Dancing in the Street Following US Strikes

Dems’ potential 2028 hopefuls come out against US strikes on Iran

‘Bloodthirsty Thugs’: Trump Celebrates Killing of Iranian Regime Leader in Lengthy Post

Hegseth Announces the Woke Organization Formerly Known as the Boy Scouts Will Drop DEI – But the Damage Is Already Done

Newsom book tour missteps expose national campaign ‘growing pains’

Republican NeverTrumpers Tried Throwing a Conference and the Results Were Less Than Stellar

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.