Democratic lawmakers call for hearings, legislation after second child dies in immigration custody

Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday called for congressional hearings after the deaths of two migrant children in one month

Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday called for congressional hearings after the deaths of two migrant children in U.S. custody in one month and said they were working to draft legislation requiring health standards for immigration agencies.

“We believe there should be a congressional investigation as soon as Congress comes back into session,” Rep. Joaquín Castro, D-Tex., the incoming chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said on a call with reporters Wednesday afternoon. He added that “systemic failures” at immigration agencies were contributing “to serious injury and illness and to the deaths of these migrants.”

Rep. Raul Ruiz, D-Calif., called on immigration authorities to conduct more “meaningful medical screenings” after the deaths of 8-year-old Felipe Alonzo-Gomez on Christmas Eve and 7-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin earlier this month. The Trump administration has yet to name the boy who died, but Congressional Democrats identified him as Felipe Alonzo-Gomez.

Those medical screenings would include a questionnaire, a review of any symptoms, medical history, a check of a migrant’s vital signs and consultation with medical personnel, Ruiz said. Read more

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Democratic lawmakers call for hearings, legislation after second child dies in immigration custody

Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday called for congressional hearings after the deaths of two migrant children in one month

Democratic lawmakers call for hearings, legislation after second child dies in immigration custody

Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday called for congressional hearings after the deaths of two migrant children in one month

Democratic lawmakers call for hearings, legislation after second child dies in immigration custody

Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday called for congressional hearings after the deaths of two migrant children in one month