Kids in Cages: Inhumane Treatment at the Border

CHAIRMAN RASKIN'S OPENING STATEMENT

PURPOSE

The hearing will examine the impact of the Trump Administration’s deterrence policies on the humanitarian crisis at the border, recent reports of dangerous conditions and medical neglect, and the lack of accountability for abuse and misconduct at detention facilities. 

BACKGROUND

One of the hearing witnesses is Yazmin Juárez, who fled from Guatemala with her 19- month old daughter Mariee to seek asylum in the United States. They were held in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility for nearly three weeks, where the toddler became increasingly ill. Ms. Juárez repeatedly requested medical care, and her daughter was prescribed medication, but her condition did not improve. Mariee was immediately hospitalized after ICE discharged them, but died six weeks later. Ms. Juárez has filed a wrongful death claim against the U.S. government.