June 5, 2019

PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
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LATINO LEADERS CONDEMN DEATHS OF IMMIGRANT CHILDREN IN FEDERAL CUSTODY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda (NHLA), a coalition of 45 of the nation’s most preeminent Latino advocacy organizations, expresses outrage over the inexcusable deaths of children in the custody of federal immigration agencies. NHLA urges Congress to use its oversight authority to initiate a thorough, independent investigation into the causes of these deaths and into the detention of migrant children, and to arrive at recommendations for minimizing the impact of detention on the health of already vulnerable populations, including children in particular.   

The Trump administration’s zero tolerance immigration policy, announced in April of 2018, separated thousands of migrant families at the border.  Despite the administration’s reversal of the policy in June of 2018, family separations continue to take place. News sources have reported five known deaths of children in federal immigration custody in the last year.  Recently, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed the earlier death of another child in federal custody— a 10-year-old girl from El Salvador—bringing the total up to six.  Although her death occurred in September of last year, it was not reported until last week— eight months after the incident.  It is U.S. Custom and Border Protection’s duty to be transparent and provide notification within 24 hours to Congress and the public regarding the death of any child in federal immigration custody, and NHLA demands that HHS be required to similarly report to Congress when a death in federal custody occurs.  The NHLA condemns this unjustifiable failure by the federal government – children are dying in the custody of U.S. agencies, and government officials must be held duly accountable.

"The death of one child in federal custody is a shameful scandal; the death of six children is a humanitarian emergency, demanding immediate intervention and thorough investigation by those with constitutionally-derived authority," said Thomas A. Saenz, NHLA chair and president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund).  "In addition, the United States should immediately end all incarceration of immigrant children; placing kids in cages is -- in all cases -- abhorrent to our national values and governing principles."

"As a mother and an advocate for reproductive justice and human rights, these deaths shook me to my core. These human rights violations reflect a total disregard by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) for the dignity of migrant children, and we have also seen horrific patterns of abuse against women and LGBTQ individuals in custody. This has to stop. Congress must launch a thorough, independent investigation into the causes of these deaths and the detention and treatment of migrant children. We will stay vigilant to ensure and insist that CBP is held accountable," said Jessica González-Rojas, Executive Director, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health; Vice Chair, NHLA; Co-Chair, NHLA Health Committee and Latina Task Force.

“The incompetence of the Trump Administration to handle immigration in a lawful manner is underscored by its cruelty in allowing children to die in U.S. custody, and its depravity in hiding these atrocities from the public. From an administration that overtly espouses Christian values, we hear no calls from them to value the sanctity of the lives of immigrant children. The hypocrisy is staggering but unsurprising,” said Amy L. Hinojosa, President and CEO, MANA, A National Latina Organization and NHLA Treasurer. 

“Our nation has always been seen as a haven for those fleeing violence and persecution, especially children. Tragically, this administration has betrayed our national values and interests because of the President’s deep-seated xenophobia and racism,” said José Calderón, President of Hispanic Federation, and Co-Chair of NHLA’s Immigration Committee. “As a result, six migrant children have died under this administration's watch. These children were fleeing violence and legally seeking refuge in our nation. They needed protection and compassion; instead this government abandoned them. It’s unconscionable that any child should die in the custody of the United States government. Congress must act to stop this madness now.  We must ensure not one more child dies and we must hold all government agencies, and the people who lead them, accountable for the neglect and indifference that lead to the deaths of these children.”

"These kids are dying while in custody or shortly thereafter, and that is a very concerning pattern," said Hector Sanchez Barba, Executive Director, Labor Council for Latin American Advancement. "They are being forced to live under dreadful conditions, confined to holding cells, sleeping on the floor, and using foil wrappers to protect themselves from the bitter cold. All immigrants have the right to be treated with dignity. We demand justice for these kids and an immediate end to the cruelty and trauma that immigrants are being put through. " 

“The 6 deaths of refugee children under the watch of the Trump Administration is an horrific and traumatic story and the continued disrespect of our community,” said Elena Rios, President & CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association.  

"The United States has always been a beacon of hope for the people of the world.  Taking care of immigrant children and families is a labor of love,” said Lawrence G. Romo, National Commander, American GI Forum.  “It is unconscionable of the recent multiple deaths of children in Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) custody.  Congress must use their moral oversight authority and investigate the causes of these deaths!”

“Those responsible for these deaths must be held accountable. They should be identified and individually or collectively charged, as warranted, with child neglect, endangerment, and abuse, dereliction of duty, medical malpractice, conspiracy to withhold pertinent information, conduct unbecoming of U. S. civil service employees, and engaging in unlawful methods contributing to or causing the deaths of children, after which they should be discharged and barred permanently from public service,” said Dr. Juan Andrade, President, United States Hispanic Leadership Institute.

"U.S. officials have a responsibility to protect migrant lives; child deaths are unacceptable. Our immigration systems need to be reformed and built on the premise that migrant lives are valuable, because they are. These deaths are the result of President Trump's failed policies, but also the complacency and inaction of government officials. We must end the practice of detaining children and risking immigrant lives in detention centers- these operations aren't designed to uphold basic human rights or needs," said Dr. Gabriela D. Lemus, President, Mi Familia Vota Education Fund.

“The duty of government is to protect the most vulnerable from the tyrants. In this case, the ones leading the government are the tyrants. So many children dying in Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) custody is a horrific symptom of the inability of this government to fulfill its basic responsibilities and engage in solutions that uphold the full human rights of our children,” said Matt Nelson, Executive Director of Presente.org, "Inhumanely caging and tearing children and families apart, while leveraging the pain, suffering, and deaths of children to advance a political agenda is the work of gangsters and criminals and has no place in the top levels of the Trump Administration. Those in power are not above the law.”

“Refugee children shouldn’t pay with their lives for the failures of our government. This human tragedy must be addressed promptly by Congress and the Administration as it denies the core values of America about the sanctity of life, especially of vulnerable children. Safeguarding the well-being of immigrants in government custody, particularly of children, should be the top priority of government agencies. The buck stops with the White House and Congress,” said Antonio R. Flores, President & CEO, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU).

“As we all know Immigration has continuously and profoundly shaped American politics and culture at every level. Immigrants have not only provided labor for the growing economy but also have given the United States a distinctively unique social and political culture. What this ego president has and continues to engage in is creating tactics of fear and injustice towards our communities. We at the National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. find these acts devastating and inhumane towards family, women and children at all levels,” said Vilma Colom, National President, National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. 

"Every American should be outraged that the U.S. government is responsible for the death of now six innocent children who with their families were trying to escape violence, oppression, and a hopeless environment," said Ana Marie Argilagos, President and CEO, Hispanics in Philanthropy. "When will we say 'enough is enough' -- perhaps until many more die? As community leaders and sympathetic citizens, we must hold our government accountable to prevent further loss of life. As a starting point, we need to take immediate action by continuing to support organizations that are providing much-needed legal representation, shelter, and medical care to these migrants — it is the least we can do."

“Ten year-old Darlyn Cristabel Cordova-Valle died in September 2018 while in the custody of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Perhaps more outrageous than this Administration’s cover-up of her death is the fact that five other children died while in federal custody ‘after’ her tragic passing. Our federal government has turned its back on the most basic of principles we value as a nation, and it has cost the lives of our most vulnerable. If Congress cannot get to the bottom of how and why these children died, they will share responsibility in the continuation of this national disgrace. We demand Congress fully investigate this Administration’s policies and actions regarding migrant children and hold those responsible accountable, while simultaneously ensuring not one more life is lost,” said Jennifer Salinas, President, Hispanic National Bar Association.

"The loss of innocent lives is tragic under any circumstance but even more painful when these deaths could have been averted. We as a nation must not allow ourselves to accept Darlyn Cristabel's passing nor that of any other refugee child who has died as the new normal because we have become numb to the stories that are now appearing all too frequently. As a mother, I join every other mother who grieves for these children and urge each of us not become complacent. Instead, let us stand hand-in-hand, demanding answers and clamoring for justice on behalf of little boys and girls whose voices have gone silent. May they rest in peace,” said Sindy Benavides, CEO, LULAC. 

"Six children have died since December in the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) custody. Voters brought in a new congress to correct our country's course. We demand our members to represent our values and haul CBP leadership and DHS to seek justice and accountability for these deaths. At Voto Latino, we will continue to organize voters and mobilize them to not stop fighting until immigrant families are treated with fairness, humanity, and dignity,” said María Teresa Kumar, President and CEO, Voto Latino.

“Six children. The outrageously unacceptable number of known children that have died in the custody of federal immigration officials in the last eight months.  Our community demands accountability and call on our congressional leaders to leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of how this possibility could have happened. We also demand better of this Administration, who instead of rising the occasion of leadership and adhering to the promise of our values, yet again petulantly points fingers elsewhere as evidenced its most recent ‘blame it on Mexico’ stunt,” said Janet Murguía, President & CEO, UnidosUS.