Fourth Undocumented Person Died in Border Patrol Custody

A fourth undocumented person has recently died in Border Patrol Custody. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) report that a 40-year-old Mexican national died as soon as he crossed the border illegally. The CBP tweeted a press release saying, the man “passed away yesterday at Las Palmas Medical Center after being diagnosed with flu-like symptoms, liver failure, and renal failure. He was apprehended by Border Patrol agents on March 17. Our condolences go out to his family.” He is the fourth migrant to die in CBP custody since December.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and his loved ones,” they stated in a press release. “CBP remains committed to ensuring the safe, humane and dignified treatment of those within the care of our custody. Consistent with CBP policy, CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility has initiated a review. The Department of Homeland Security Office of the Inspector General and the Government of Mexico has been notified.  At this time, CBP is not releasing the identity of the individual. CBP will release more details as available and appropriate and will ensure an independent and thorough review of the circumstances.”

The other three people that have died in CBP custody include a 45-year-old Mexican man that died in February. He died allegedly of cirrhosis of the liver and congestive heart failure. In December, two children also passed away, 7-year-old Jakelin Caal and 8-year-old Felipe Gómez Alonzo.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Border Rights Center Director Astrid Dominguez said in a statement, according to NBC News, “a transparent and independent investigation into the conditions at CBP detention facilities and its medical care practices is needed immediately.”

The ACLU also tweeted, “We need more than thoughts and prayers from @CBP. We need them to put an end to dangerous conditions and inadequate care that continue to result in deaths. This cannot keep happening.”

We need more than thoughts and prayers from @CBP. We need them to put an end to dangerous conditions and inadequate care that continue to result in deaths. This cannot keep happening. https://t.co/jvrsZjYGn6

— ACLU (@ACLU) March 19, 2019

This news comes on the heels of the devastating news that migrant detainees are being quarantined in detention centers after an outbreak of illnesses inside the facilities. Also, just this month, a woman delivered a stillborn baby while in CBP custody, but because the baby was born dead, the CBP doesn’t count that as an actual death.