This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-46682354

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Migrant caravan: Detained Guatemalan boy dies at Mexico-US border Guatemalan boy detained at border dies in US custody
(about 3 hours later)
An eight-year-old boy from Guatemala has died in US government custody, immigration authorities say. An eight-year-old boy from Guatemala has died in US government custody, officials say, the second migrant child to die in US detention this month.
A Texas congressman named the child as Felipe Alonzo-Gomez. The border agency says the boy died on Monday night hours after showing signs of illness. A Texas congressman named him as Felipe Alónzo-Gomez.
It is the second time this month an immigrant child has died while being detained after crossing the US-Mexico border. The child was detained with his father on 18 December after illegally crossing the US-Mexico border.
In the previous instance, seven-year-old Jakelin Caal, also from Guatemala, died just hours after having been taken into custody. A seven-year-old girl died earlier this month just hours after being detained.
Texan congressman Joaquin Castro called for a congressional investigation into the boy's death. Jakelin Caal, also from Guatemala, developed a high fever and died of liver failure. Her funeral was held in her village on Tuesday.
"We must ensure that we treat migrants and asylum-seekers with human dignity and provide the necessary medical care to anyone in the custody of the United States government," he said. Thousands of migrants have travelled from Central America - mainly from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador - to the US border.
"The administration's policy of turning people away from legal ports of entry, otherwise known as metering, is putting families and children in great danger." Many say there are fleeing persecution, poverty and violence in their home countries and plan to seek asylum in the US.
Thousands of migrants have travelled from Central America to the US border. What do we know about the latest case?
The migrants say they are fleeing persecution, poverty and violence in their home countries of Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. In a new, lengthy statement, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the boy, whose identity has not been officially confirmed, died at 23:48 local time (06:48 GMT) on 24 December. The cause of death is still unknown.
Many of them say their goal is to settle in the US, despite warnings by American officials that anyone found entering the country illegally will face arrest, prosecution and deportation. After being detained in El Paso, Texas, he and his father were taken to a local processing centre, where they spent two days. They were then sent to El Paso Border Patrol Station, where they were held for another two days.
What happened in this latest case? On 22 December, they were transferred to Alamogordo Border Patrol Station, in neighbouring New Mexico.
The boy died shortly after midnight on 25 December, US Customs and Border Protection said. On Monday morning, an agent noticed that the boy "was coughing and appeared to have glossy eyes". He was taken with his father to a hospital where he was diagnosed with a common cold and given Tylenol (paracetamol).
In a statement, the agency said the eight-year-old had displayed "signs of potential illness" on Monday. While being evaluated for release, he was found to have a fever of 103F (39.4C) and held for more observation. He was released shortly afterwards with a prescription for an antibiotic and ibuprofen.
It reported that he and his father were taken to a hospital in Alamogordo, New Mexico, where the boy was diagnosed with a cold and a fever, given prescriptions for amoxicillin and ibuprofen, and released on Monday afternoon. The boy and his father were taken to a temporary site at the Highway 70 checkpoint, where the child received the medication. Two hours later, he vomited.
He returned to the hospital on Monday evening after he began vomiting and died there just hours later, the statement added. His father declined further medical assistance, the CBP said, as the child had been feeling better.
The agency said the cause of death had not been determined, and that the Department of Homeland Security's inspector-general and the Guatemalan government had been notified. The child appeared lethargic at around 22:00, when he was sent back to the hospital. While being transported, the boy vomited and lost consciousness, and doctors at the hospital were unable to revive him.
What happened to Jakelin Caal? The CBP earlier said the boy died just after midnight. It did not explain why they were held for so long.
Jakelin was crossing the US-Mexico border with her father as part of the caravan of Central American migrants. His father remains in custody. The Associated Press news agency reported they had plans to go to Johnson City, Tennessee.
US officials said they had tried to cross the Mexico-US border illegally. What has the reaction been?
Jakelin and her father handed themselves in to US border agents in New Mexico in early December. CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said the death was "tragic" and announced that the agency would conduct further medical checks on all children in custody, with a focus on those under 10.
While in custody, Jakelin developed a high fever and died of liver failure several days later. He also said the CBP would work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to improve custody conditions.
The Washington Post, who first reported her death, quoted border officials as saying she had died of liver failure brought about by dehydration and shock, and that she "reportedly had not eaten or consumed water for several days". Human rights groups criticised the CBP and Guatemala's foreign ministry called for an investigation.
She was said to have had a body temperature of 105.7F (40.9C). Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro called for a congressional investigation, saying the administration's policy of turning people away at the border "is putting families and children in great danger".
Jakelin's father Nery remains in the US, where he is awaiting a decision on whether he will be allowed to stay. What is happening at the border?
Her remains were returned to Guatemala this week, and her funeral took place in the village of San Antonio Secortez on Tuesday. The Trump administration has tried to deter asylum seekers from crossing the border irregularly between ports of entry, warning that they could face arrest, prosecution and deportation.
Why is there tension on the border? But, at the same time, it is restricting access to those trying to cross through official ports of entry, creating a long wait for applicants.
It's been running high since the arrival of thousands of migrants in recent weeks. Among them are thousands of Central American migrants who travelled together in so-called "caravans", and arrived at the border with California in recent weeks.
Last month, US border agents used tear gas on a crowd of migrants, including children, trying to cross the border. President Trump has vowed to keep each migrant on the Mexican side of the border until courts have decided their cases.
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.
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.
President 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.