In a tragic continuation of events, a 10-year-old girl from El Salvador has become the sixth child to die after being detained at the U.S. border. This heartbreaking news comes just days after the fifth child migrant’s death was reported by U.S. health officials.
The girl, who remains unidentified, was in U.S. custody starting in March 2018 and tragically passed away on September 29 at a hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. According to a spokesperson, she had significant health issues, including a history of congenital heart defects. After undergoing surgery, she fell into a comatose state and was subsequently moved to a nursing facility in Phoenix, Arizona, for palliative care before her transfer to Omaha to be closer to her family. She succumbed to fever and respiratory distress while at Children’s Hospital.
Details about her border crossing are unclear, but she entered an Office of Refugee Resettlement facility in San Antonio last spring. It’s uncertain whether she had any family or adult companions with her. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is tasked with providing medical care for unaccompanied minors, highlighting their responsibility in this tragedy.
Her death had not been disclosed until recently, raising questions about transparency. Many lawmakers, including Representative Tom Martinez, chair of the Congressional Latino Caucus, expressed outrage. “It’s unacceptable for so many children to lose their lives due to the administration’s lack of accountability,” he stated. “There’s no indication that this tragic death was reported either to the public or Congress until now.”
Earlier in the week, a 16-year-old Guatemalan boy died at a Border Patrol station, reportedly from the flu, after exceeding the legal time limit in custody. In addition, other recent fatalities include a 2.5-year-old Guatemalan child who died of pneumonia and a 16-year-old boy who succumbed to a brain infection while in HHS care. Last year, two more young migrants lost their lives shortly after being apprehended at the border.
“This is a disturbing trend of deaths,” Martinez remarked, emphasizing the urgent need for reform in the treatment of migrants. The Trump administration has faced significant criticism for its handling of migrant children, including family separations and inadequate living conditions. Despite the rising number of fatalities, there has been no official statement from the administration regarding these tragic events.
For those seeking more information about pregnancy and home insemination, please visit this excellent resource on pregnancy. Additionally, you can explore our post on at-home insemination kits for further engagement. For insights into getting pregnant after postpartum depression, check this authoritative source.
In summary, the death of a young girl in U.S. custody highlights systemic issues regarding the treatment of migrant children. With six child fatalities reported, there is increasing urgency for accountability and reform in the immigration system.