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.”
Johnson: ‘No boots on the ground’ for Trump’s Greenland acquisition plans amid military speculation
11 House Dems buck party to side with Republicans in reversal of Biden-era shower regulation
College basketball player gunned down on Nashville freeway, police hunting for suspects
‘Dilbert’ Creator and Right-Wing Commentator Scott Adams Dies at Age 68
Iran goes dark as regime unleashes force, cyber tools to crush protests
Afghan illegal immigrant who stabbed sister for being ‘bad Muslim girl’ arrested by ICE agents in New York
Lawmakers warn Philly officials against prosecuting ICE agents: ‘That’s not how America works’
Republican Congressman Forced to Close Office After ‘Credible Threats and Calls for Violence’
Newsom blasts proposed California billionaire tax but keeps door open to national debate
BREAKING: Republican House Oversight Committee to Hold Bill Clinton in Contempt
Watch: Whoopi Goldberg Attempts to Walk Back Vicious Anti-ICE Comment After Thinking It Over During Commercial Break
Trump cheers steady inflation numbers as affordability fight shapes 2026 midterm battle
GOP unveils plan to cut deficit by $1 trillion with second ‘big, beautiful bill’
Byron Donalds took large donations from CCP-linked firm despite criticism of China
Trump cancels talks with Iran delegation as death toll from protests hits 2,000
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.
Johnson: ‘No boots on the ground’ for Trump’s Greenland acquisition plans amid military speculation
11 House Dems buck party to side with Republicans in reversal of Biden-era shower regulation
College basketball player gunned down on Nashville freeway, police hunting for suspects
‘Dilbert’ Creator and Right-Wing Commentator Scott Adams Dies at Age 68
Iran goes dark as regime unleashes force, cyber tools to crush protests
Afghan illegal immigrant who stabbed sister for being ‘bad Muslim girl’ arrested by ICE agents in New York
Lawmakers warn Philly officials against prosecuting ICE agents: ‘That’s not how America works’
Republican Congressman Forced to Close Office After ‘Credible Threats and Calls for Violence’
Newsom blasts proposed California billionaire tax but keeps door open to national debate
BREAKING: Republican House Oversight Committee to Hold Bill Clinton in Contempt
Watch: Whoopi Goldberg Attempts to Walk Back Vicious Anti-ICE Comment After Thinking It Over During Commercial Break
Trump cheers steady inflation numbers as affordability fight shapes 2026 midterm battle
GOP unveils plan to cut deficit by $1 trillion with second ‘big, beautiful bill’
Byron Donalds took large donations from CCP-linked firm despite criticism of China
Trump cancels talks with Iran delegation as death toll from protests hits 2,000
“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.
