2023-07-12 01:08:00
A minor immigrant, who arrived in the US alone and who was in the custody of the federal government, died on Monday, the Department of Health and Human Resources (HHS) confirmed to Univision News.
“We are deeply saddened to share that on July 10, 2023, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) was notified of the death of an unaccompanied minor,” an HHS spokesperson said via email Tuesday.
“At the time of the referral of the 15-year-old girl of Guatemalan origin from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ORR in May, she had already been hospitalized in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital El Paso. , Texas, for a significant problem of pre-existing disease, “adds the note.
While the child remained in ORR custody, medical treatment was provided in accordance with the mother’s wishes and in line with the recommendations of the hospital’s team of health care providers.
HHS did not detail the mother’s immigration status or whether she is being detained and released pending the resolution of an asylum case.
Details of the case of the deceased minor
HHS explained that on July 7 the girl’s condition began to deteriorate and she was pronounced deceased on July 10 at 9:25 pm as a result of multiple organ failure from complications of her underlying disease.
“The girl’s mother and brother were present at her bedside in the days before and at the time of her death,” adds the press release sent by the HHS communications unit.
The ministry said that “our hearts go out to the family at this difficult time” and explained that ORR “is working with them to provide comfort and assist with arrangements as appropriate.”
Unaccompanied minors or when they are detained at the border by Border Patrol agents, are transferred within 72 hours to the custody of the HSS, which, in turn, refers them to the care of the ORR.
Fourth death of a minor so far this year
The death of the minor, whose identity was not released by the government, marks the fourth death of an unaccompanied immigrant child in government custody so far in fiscal year 2023.
Some of the deceased children had serious pre-existing medical conditions, including terminal illnesses, the government says.
In May, a minor from Honduras who arrived in the United States without adult escorts died in the custody of federal authorities. The circumstances of the death of the minor identified as Ángel Eduardo Maradiaga Espinoza, 17, are unknown.
On that occasion, the HHS said in a statement that the teenager was in the shelter in Safety Harbor, Florida, administered by the ORR, an entity in charge of housing and caring for migrant children who arrive at the border between the United States and Mexico without legal guardians. .
In mid-June, the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing to review reports on the fate of unaccompanied immigrant children arriving in the United States.
One of the main concerns expressed by the legislators was related to the places or residences of “sponsors” without guarantees where these children can end up or even fall into the hands of exploiters, who force them to work in factories.
Both Democrats and Republicans reviewed current programs run by the federal government, as well as guarantees for the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children.
More than 44,000 unaccompanied minors have entered the United States from Mexico from January to April of this year, according to data provided by the Office of Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The reports add that 47% of the children registered by the immigration authorities are originally from Guatemala. Another 40% comes from Honduras and El Salvador.
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