We will not allow President Trump’s inhumane treatment of migrant families to become business as usual. We will defend the most vulnerable.
Los Angeles, CA — As news of a sixth migrant child death at the border finally filters out, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), California’s largest immigrant rights organization, demands an immediate investigation of a runaway Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This is the second death acknowledged this week.
At a Congressional hearing this week, Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-IL, aired her suspicion that these migrant child deaths are DHS policy choice. “The evidence is really clear that this is intentional,” she said while questioning Secretary Kevin McAleenan. We echo her concern.
On September 29, 2018, a 10-year-old Salvadoran girl described as “medically fragile” died while in DHS custody. The agency did not release that information until this week. It is unconscionable and a dereliction of duty that DHS does not have to make public deaths that occur on its watch of migrants in its care. We demand that this rogue agency be held to account.
The following are statements from Angelica Salas, CHIRLA executive director:
“Six children have been reported dead at the border but we have no answers or concern from the Trump Administration, which seems to regard these deaths as collateral damage of its scorched-earth immigration policies. While the death toll at the border grows daily, DHS also blocks reunification of separated families and forces people legally seeking asylum to wait in another country for an answer.
Children are precious. The most vulnerable immigrants deserve stability and a loving home, not cold indifference from federal administrators. The American public and leaders in Congress must demand that this administration stop these deaths and account for its actions. Congress must demand an investigation and stop further funding for DHS until it explains how the millions for humanitarian support at the border have been used.
We must not allow these deaths to continue to happen in our name. DHS and President Trump continue to seek more funds to build a border wall but do not use the available resources to save lives. We cannot sit idly by and accept that the U.S. is disposing of these migrant children as if they were so much trash. That is not the country we are.”
