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Migrant caravan: Girl dies in custody after crossing Mexico-US border Migrant caravan: Girl dies after being taken into custody at Mexico-US border
(about 7 hours later)
A seven-year-old girl who illegally crossed the Mexico-US border with family died hours after being taken into custody, US officials say. A seven-year-old girl who US officials say tried to cross the Mexico-US border illegally with her family has died hours after being taken into custody.
The Guatemalan girl, who arrived in the US last week as part of a group of migrants, died of dehydration and shock, the Washington Post reports. The Guatemalan girl, who authorities there have named as Jackeline Caal, died of dehydration and shock, the Washington Post reports.
AP news agency quotes border officials as saying she had not had food or water for several days.AP news agency quotes border officials as saying she had not had food or water for several days.
Thousands of migrants have travelled from Central America to the US border.Thousands of migrants have travelled from Central America to the US border.
The migrants say they are fleeing persecution, poverty and violence in their home countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.The migrants say they are fleeing persecution, poverty and violence in their home countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.
Many of them say their goal is to settle in the US despite warnings by US officials that anyone found entering the country illegally will face arrest, prosecution and deportation.Many of them say their goal is to settle in the US despite warnings by US officials that anyone found entering the country illegally will face arrest, prosecution and deportation.
What do the US authorities say?What do the US authorities say?
The US Border Patrol confirmed that an accompanied girl aged seven had died after experiencing fever and seizures while in its custody for eight hours on Thursday of last week. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the girl was "apprehended with her father for illegal entry with a group of 163 illegal aliens" on Thursday of last week.
The girl, whose nationality was not given, was flown to hospital in El Paso where she suffered cardiac arrest and died within 24 hours. The US Border Patrol confirmed the girl started experiencing fever and seizures while in its custody.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson sent condolences to the girl's relatives, saying US Border Patrol border "always takes care of individuals in their custody and does everything in their power to keep them safe". She was flown to hospital in El Paso where she suffered cardiac arrest and died.
"Unfortunately, despite our best efforts and the best efforts of the medical team treating the child, we were unable to stop this tragedy from occurring," the spokesperson added. DHS head Kirstjen Nielsen told Fox News: "It's heart-wrenching. This is a very sad example of the dangers of this journey. This family chose to cross illegally."
"Once again, we are begging parents to not put themselves or their children at risk attempting to enter illegally." A department statement earlier said: "Our sincerest condolences go out to the family of the child.
On Thursday, the Washington Post reported that the girl had died after being detained along with her father. "Border Patrol agents took every possible step to save the child's life under the most trying of circumstances. As fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, we empathise with the loss of any child."
Tension has been running high on the US-Mexican border since the arrival of almost 7,500 migrants in recent weeks. Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton tweeted that the incident reflected a "humanitarian crisis" on the border:
Why is there tension on the border?
It's been running high since the arrival of almost 7,500 migrants in recent weeks.
Last month, US border agents used tear gas on a crowd of migrants, including children, trying to cross the border.Last month, US border agents used tear gas on a crowd of migrants, including children, trying to cross the border.
The agents said that personnel had been assaulted and hit by stones.The agents said that personnel had been assaulted and hit by stones.
However, critics accused the Trump administration of a draconian response, while Mexico demanded an investigation into the incident.However, critics accused the Trump administration of a draconian response, while Mexico demanded an investigation into the incident.
The migrants have travelled in large groups, dubbed "caravans", for more than 4,000km (2,500 miles) from Central America.The migrants have travelled in large groups, dubbed "caravans", for more than 4,000km (2,500 miles) from Central America.
Among them are many families with young children.Among them are many families with young children.
Donald Trump has vowed to keep each migrant on the Mexican side of the border until courts have decided their cases, meaning some face a long wait.Donald Trump has vowed to keep each migrant on the Mexican side of the border until courts have decided their cases, meaning some face a long wait.
They have been spending time in temporary shelters in the Mexican border city of Tijuana and in Mexicali, 180km to the east.They have been spending time in temporary shelters in the Mexican border city of Tijuana and in Mexicali, 180km to the east.