ZCZC
BFF-23
US-GUATEMALA-POLITICS-IMMIGRATION
Second Guatemalan migrant child dies in US custody
WASHINGTON, Dec 26, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – US Customs and Border protection
announced Tuesday it would conduct medical checks on all children in its
custody following the death of an eight-year-old Guatemalan migrant — the
second child fatality in American detention this month.
The boy, who was with his apprehended father, had been transferred to a
New Mexico medical center showing signs of sickness on Monday, the agency
said Tuesday.
Staff diagnosed him with a cold but later discovered a fever. He was
released at midday, with prescriptions for ibuprofen and the antibiotic
amoxicillin.
The child was later transferred back to the hospital after showing signs
of nausea and vomiting, and died on Monday just before midnight.
CBP said it had not established the cause of death but would “ensure an
independent and thorough review of the circumstances.”
Later, commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan announced the agency was
“conducting secondary medical checks upon all children in CBP care and
custody,” and “reviewing its policies with particular focus upon care and
custody of children under 10.”
He added CBP was considering seeking medical support from other agencies,
among them the US Coast Guard and the Department of Defense.
“CBP is coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control on the numbers
of children in custody as well,” he said.
Guatemala called on US authorities to conduct a “clear” investigation of
the death, adding that “medical reports have been requested… to clarify the
cause of death of the child.”
The news of the boy’s death triggered outrage on social media.
“Another child dies under this Administration’s watch,” tweeted Democratic
Congressman Marc Veasey of Texas.
“Such a devastating story to hear on Christmas Day.”
“Heartbroken and sickened by this news,” Senator Martin Heinrich of New
Mexico wrote on Twitter.
“I am urgently demanding more details, but the Trump administration must
be held accountable for this child’s death and all the lives they have put in
danger with their intentional chaos and disregard for human life,” he
tweeted.
– ‘Searching for a dream’ –
The boy’s death came on the same day that Jakelin Caal, a Guatemalan girl
who died in US custody under similar circumstances earlier this month, was
buried.
Her body was repatriated on Sunday and after a long journey reached San
Antonio Secortez, the remote village where her family — members of the
indigenous Q’eqchi’ Maya people — live without electricity and other basic
services.
“This girl left home happy searching for a dream, but unfortunately died
on the way,” community leader Alberto Pop told AFP in the cemetery.
“You hear that in the United States they pay well, not like the companies
here in Guatemala — that’s why people leave,” said Pop, whose 22-year-old
son Joaquin left in November in search of the American dream.
“I don’t know if he is alive or dead.”
“Unfortunately, these decisions (to migrate) are made because of scarce
economic resources,” Jakelin’s cousin Mario Caal said at the funeral.
Jakelin Caal’s December 8 death reignited debate in the United States over
immigration policy and the treatment of migrants.
President Donald Trump has made hardline immigration policies a central
plank of his presidency, drawing fire from critics who accuse him of
demonizing migrants for political gain.
He is locked in a battle with Congress over funding for his planned wall
along the border with Mexico, which he claims will stem migration from Latin
American countries plagued by gang violence and poverty.
“Heartbroken to hear of a second child’s death in CBP custody,” tweeted
Nydia Velazquez, a Democratic congresswoman from New York.
“We must demand accountability, find answers and put an end to this
Administration’s hateful, dangerous anti-immigrant policies.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/1403 hrs