News

Second Immigrant Child Dies While Under Border Patrol’s Custody

Jakelin Caal Maquin, a seven-year-old girl from Guatemala, was detained at the United States border along with her father earlier this month after the pair illegally crossed it. Shortly thereafter, she started experiencing seizures while under the border patrol’s custody, and she was taken to a hospital where she died of cardiac arrest.

On Christmas Eve, a second Guatemalan child was taken to the hospital, later dying shortly after midnight. Although his identity has not been disclosed by Customs and Border Protection, Rep. Joaquin Castro revealed his name: Felipe Alonzo-Gomez.

CBP Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan, speaking on CBS This Morning on Wednesday, expressed his condolences to the eight-year-old’s loved ones. “On behalf of US Customs and Border Protection, our deepest sympathies go out to the family,” McAleenan said.

McAleenan, who has previously asked Congress for more funding, repeated his plea on the program. “What we’re seeing with these flows of huge numbers of families with lots of children, young children, as well as unaccompanied minors coming into Border Patrol custody after crossing the border unlawfully, that our stations are not built for that group that’s crossing today.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Continuing, the CBP commissioner claimed their facilities, which were constructed “30 to 40 years ago for single adult males,” were insufficient for today’s standard. “We need help from Congress. We need the budget for medical care and mental health care for children in our facilities.”

SLIDESHOW: DONALD TRUMP’S 30 CRAZIEST TWEETS

CBP will enact new policies to try and prevent any other children from passing away. One new procedure delineates that every child “will receive a more thorough hands-on assessment at the earliest possible time post-apprehension — whether or not the accompanying adult has asked for one.”

White House spokesperson Hogan Gidley addressed the boy’s death through a phone call with The New York Times, saying it was “very sad.” Gidley added how administration officials were working with the Department of Homeland Security to learn what transpired at the border. House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi plans to fully investigate the deaths of both children, hoping “no other child is left to such a fate.”

Matt Reisine

A writer for uPolitics with an array of interests.

Recent Posts

Democrats Attack Green Party Nominee Jill Stein In New Ad

A new ad about Green Party candidate Jill Stein has been released by Vice President Kamala Harris'…

9 hours ago

Jennifer Lopez Says Trump ‘Offended Every Latino In The Country’ With MSG Joke At Harris Rally

https://youtu.be/inbJpo6D4BQ Jennifer Lopez, campaigning with Kamala Harris on Oct. 31 in Nevada, said Donald Trump’s…

9 hours ago

Trump National Security Adviser Michael Flynn Says ‘Gates Of Hell’ Will Be Opened On Opponents If Trump Is Reelected

Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn declared that the "gates of hell" would be unleashed if former…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Kamala Harris Hugs First Person In Line For Her Ellipse Rally, Chats With Her Mom

https://youtu.be/JQCdk-71tG0 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris met with the woman who was the first in…

2 days ago

VIDEO: Harris Vows To Put ‘Country Above Party’ In Front Of 75,000 People At The Ellipse

https://youtu.be/xc72fdqkaVc Vice President Kamala Harris vowed to put “country above party and above self” as…

2 days ago

Trump-Friendly Judge Aileen Cannon In The Running For Attorney General If Former President Wins Second Term

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon has reportedly been placed on a list of potential attorney general candidates…

3 days ago