The head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Sunday defended his embattled agency after the second death of a migrant child in its custody in less than a month – even as a top Senate Republican promised hearings on the matter.

Appearing on ABC News’ “This Week,” Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said the deaths of the two children, both from Guatemala, were “just absolutely devastating for us on every level.” But he also assured that everything was done to care for the children’s well-being and prevent the tragedies.

“What I can tell you about these two cases – and I’ve looked at our operation reporting, the initial investigative reporting, I looked at the fathers’ statements and interviews – is that our agents did everything they could as soon as these children manifested symptoms of illness to save their lives,” McAleenan said.

McAleenan then detailed what he knew about each case.

Of 8-year-old Felipe Gómez Alonzo, who died last week: “In Felipe’s case, it was actually a Border Patrol agent who noticed his symptoms and made the decision to take him and his father to the emergency room, where he had the treatment of doctors in Alamogordo, New Mexico.”

Of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal, who died early this month: “Jakelin was 94 miles away from the nearest Border Patrol station. She started to vomit on a bus ride to that station. Our agents got her there as quickly as they could, where we had a paramedic waiting – an agent who’s a paramedic, too – to revive her and get her into emergency medical service and life-flight her to a children’s hospital in El Paso.”

Jakelin’s father, Nery Caal, has said that neither he nor his daughter were provided water for eight hours while in custody at a remote border facility – a claim that contrasts with what CBP has said.

The deaths have reignited a rancorous debate over the Trump administration’s now-abandoned policy involving the separation of migrant families at the U.S. border with Mexico.

Even before the deaths, Democrats and many Republicans decried the policy as inhumane and unnecessary.

Incoming Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he would hold hearings on the deaths. But he suggested it would focus on the root causes of such families’ journeys.

“Yes, I’m going to hold hearings on the deaths of these two children and the policies that entice people to come,” Graham said.

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Photojournalist Desmond Boylan, who covered world's biggest stories, dies at 54

Next »

Meaning of 'wall' may be up for debate in shutdown's second week