‘The World Should Know What Is Happening’: Mother Talks To Congress About Daughter’s Death After Being Detained
Yazmin Juarez, a mother whose toddler died weeks after they were released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody in 2018, spoke of the girl's death to the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties at a hearing called “Kids in Cages: Inhumane Treatment at the Border.” "Mariee was a healthy baby girl when she was taken into ICE custody. But 20 days later, she left with a life-threatening infection," Juarez said. "The people who run these facilities are supposed to take care of these children – little angels who have done nothing wrong."
Dallas Morning News:
'My Daughter Is Gone': House Hearing On 'Kids In Cages' Spotlights Infant Who Died After ICE Custody
As Yazmin Juárez spoke, an image of her brown-eyed baby girl, Mariee, was put up on television screens in the hearing room. The baby had fallen ill with a high fever, vomiting and diarrhea when mother and daughter were detained in a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility last year. (Gillman, 7/10)
Reuters:
'World Should Know,' Migrant Tells U.S. Congress Of Toddler's Death
Yazmin Juarez told a House of Representatives subcommittee that it was “like they tore out a piece of my heart” when just weeks after they were released her daughter Mariee died at 19 months old. She said she left a hospital with nothing but a piece of paper with two handprints in pink paint that staff had made for her, and described through a translator how she missed her daughter’s hugs. (Pietsch, 7/10)
The Associated Press:
Asylum-Seeker Talks About Daughter's Death After US Custody
A Guatemalan mother seeking asylum told a House panel Wednesday that she came to the United States seeking safety, but instead watched her infant daughter die slowly and painfully after the baby received shoddy medical care while they were in immigration custody. As Yazmin Juárez spoke, an image of her brown-eyed baby girl, Mariee, was put up on television screens in the hearing room. (Long, 7/10)
The Hill:
Mother Of Toddler Who Died After ICE Detainment Testifies Before House Subcommittee
"Mariee was a healthy baby girl when she was taken into ICE custody. But 20 days later, she left with a life-threatening infection," she said. Small children do not belong in detention. But if ICE’s detention center had just been safe and sanitary – and if they’d given my daughter the proper medical care she needed – Mariee might still be here today, preparing to celebrate her third birthday in August." (Frazin, 7/10)
CNN:
Mother Recalls Death Of Toddler After Being Released From ICE Custody In Emotional Testimony
Juarez's testimony came during a hearing on the treatment of children at the southern border. Over recent weeks, government and media reports have sparked a national outcry about conditions at border facilities. Juarez said she fled Guatemala with her daughter to seek asylum in the United States. "We made this journey because we feared for our lives. The trip was dangerous, but I was more afraid of what might happen to us if we stayed. So we came to the United States where I hoped to build a better, safer life for us," she said. "Unfortunately, that did not happen." (Alvarez, 7/10)
NBC News:
Migrant Mom Details Daughter's Death After ICE Detention In Emotional Testimony
At the hearing, which was titled “Kids in Cages: Inhumane Treatment at the Border,” Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., described allegations of "dangerous overcrowding," widespread sickness, "pervasive medical inattention," sexual assaults and the "systemic abuse of migrants." "We hope to shine a bright light this afternoon on these dark developments," he said. (Silva, 7/10)
USA Today:
Guatemalan Migrant Testifies About Daughter's Illness, Eventual Death
“Your story has broken the heart of America,” said the subcommittee chairman, Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md. “But your courage has given us a second chance to get it right.” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, called for a consensus on border security and asylum laws. He noted that Customs and Border Protection had rescued 3,000 people this year despite how thin its resources are stretched. “I cannot possibly imagine what you have gone through,” Roy said. “We have a broken immigration system and must act quickly.” (Jansen, 7/10)
The Washington Post:
‘Kids In Cages’: House Hearing Examines Immigration Detention As Democrats Push For More Information
No Trump administration officials testified at Wednesday’s hearing, but former acting ICE director Ronald Vitiello appeared at the request of Republican committee members. Vitiello retired in April after President Trump pulled his nomination to lead the agency; Trump said he wanted to go in a “tougher” direction on immigration enforcement. (Sacchetti, 7/10)
