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A government investigation into the 2019 death of Carlos Gregorio Hernandez Vasquez, a Guatemalan teenager detained by Border Patrol, found he died of the flu in his cell after Border Patrol agents failed to check on him. . The report, obtained by ProPublica, also sheds light on a detention system struggling with overcrowding that has seen many immigrants fall ill. Hernandez had a fever of 103 degrees and his nurse practitioner recommended that he be checked in two hours and taken to the emergency room if he was not improving. ProPublica
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In other federal immigration news…
USCIS revamps mission statement after Trump removes reference to ‘immigrant nation’
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services renewed and shortened its mission statement, adding key words such as “welcome” and “respect.” The last time it was amended was in 2018, when the Trump administration removed the words “immigrant nation”, drawing criticism from immigrant rights advocates. The 2018 change signaled a shift towards stricter regulations and emphasized “securing the homeland”. The American Immigration Lawyers Association called the 2018 change “the Trump administration’s “insidious attempt to diminish the valuable contributions that immigrants have made” to America’s CNN.
Border Patrol agents’ working conditions receive greater attention
As the U.S. Border Patrol grapples with an increase in migration along the U.S.-Mexico border, the Biden administration is paying more attention to the agency’s working conditions after several meetings with senior officials and officials. subordinates. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who oversees Border Patrol, outlined 19 initiatives to improve working conditions. He also pledged to fight to prosecute more people accused of assaulting CBP officials. A series of attacks have recently taken place at the border as officers deal with smugglers, cartels and drug organisations. PA News
National Butterfly Center closed after immigration threats
Amid polarizing conspiracy theories about illegal immigration, a butterfly sanctuary in Texas has announced it is closing until further notice due to security concerns and threats from supporters of former President Trump. The private center had also closed last month due to “credible threats”. People circulated photos and messages claiming the center helped smugglers bring migrants to the United States. The butterfly center had filed a lawsuit to stop construction of the border wall, saying it threatened the habitat of more than 200 species of butterflies. CBS News
Without a safety net, undocumented parents have been hit hard by the pandemic
American families have faced various difficulties due to the pandemic, from distance learning and being stuck with loved ones 24/7, to the anxiety of losing their jobs and their income. Alejandra, 33, and Alberto, 40, both undocumented immigrant parents, faced a different set of challenges. Despite the fact that their daughter is a US citizen, they are ineligible for most federal aid that many people relied on to survive, such as unemployment insurance, stimulus payments, Medicaid and food stamps. . Local organizations have helped those excluded from benefits, but they say it is not enough. The Washington Post