Migrant Honduran boy, 17, dies in US custody without family identified

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
13 May 2023 20:55

This comes in the same week during which thousands of migrants made last-minute attempts to enter the US before Title 42 expires.

Asylum seekers gather on the Matamoros-Brownsville International Border bridge between the US and Mexico on May 12, 2023 (Reuters)

US and Honduran officials have confirmed the death of a teenage migrant Honduran boy in US custody after crossing into the US without his family on Friday.

Honduran Foreign Minister Enrique Reina identified him as 17-year-old Angel Eduardo Maradiaga Espinoza who died in the shelter in Safety Harbor, Florida.

Although it did not identify or confirm the details of the death, the US Department of Health and Human Services, whose Office of Refugee Resettlement manages the care and housing of unaccompanied migrant children, confirmed the death.

In its statement, the Department said it "is deeply saddened by this tragic loss and our heart goes out to the family, with whom we are in touch," adding that an investigation has been launched.

This comes in the same week during which thousands of migrants made last-minute attempts to enter the US before a major change for Title 42 happens and new measures for migrants crossing the border occur.

When the US lifted Title 42 on Thursday, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas declared that the "border is not open."

In Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, the US military barred 200 migrants from entering Gate 42, the entrance point to El Paso, Texas, where hundreds passed on Thursday.

White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre labeled the death "devastating news", expressing that "our hearts go out to the family members" as she asserts that a medical probe has been launched to investigate what took place.

According to the Honduran FM, Espinoza was one of over 10,000 Hondurans who attempted to enter the US each month over the past year.

"This terrible incident highlights the importance of working together on bilateral migration issues and the situation of unaccompanied minors, to find solutions," he stated.

Hundreds of specialist investigative agents and air marshals from the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are being taken away from their day-to-day jobs to assist with border management, according to reports, prompting some employees to object, claiming they are being transferred to menial chores.