US lawmakers call for probe into Guatemalan child's death

Jakelin Caal Maquin, who had traveled with her father to the US from a rural area in Guatemala's impoverished Alta Verapaz region, died of dehydration while in US custody.

The girl and her father had been detained by US immigration authorities on December 6 as part of a group of 163 people who approached US agents to turn themselves in.

Early on December 7, the girl started having seizures, and emergency responders measured her body temperature at 105.7 degrees Fahrenheit (40.9 degrees Celsius). She was then taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead the day after.

According to US government officials, Jakelin had not had anything to eat or drink for days, but lawyers for her family have disputed the claim.

A group of lawmakers visiting the same area on Tuesday demanded that an independent investigation be conducted into the response by federal agents.

"There are things that we need to learn," said US Rep. Raul Ruiz, a California Democrat, who is also a doctor that questioned why border agents did not request an immediate airlift of Caal after her father told an agent she was sick and vomiting.

Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus visited both the port of entry and the Lordsburg station.

Jakelin and her father were first processed at Antelope Wells and according to US Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, a New Mexico Democrat, the station lacked running water and had only two portable toilets, as well as "inhumane holding cells" for both adults and children.

Ruiz said a "cursory medical examination" should have disclosed if Jakelin had a high pulse or a fever.

"In the process of upholding our laws and processing our laws, we can't lose our humanity," he said.

The girl’s death has drawn renewed criticism of the Trump administration's cruel anti-immigration policies.

Human rights advocates say Jakelin's death illustrates the scope of inhumane treatment of asylum seekers by US officials.

KD