2023-05-12 19:03:00
Ángel Eduardo Maradiaga Espinoza was in a shelter used to house unaccompanied minors in the city of Safety Harbor
Florida, United States
A 17-year-old teenager from Honduras who arrived in the United States without a parent or guardian died while in the custody of the authorities in Florida, without further details being known at this time, the Department of Health and Services reported this Friday. Human Rights (HHS) of the North American country.
Local media collect statements by the Honduran Minister of Foreign Affairs, Eduardo Enrique Reina, who identified the deceased as Ángel Eduardo Maradiaga Espinoza, who called for an “exhaustive investigation” into the death of the minor.
Reina said the teen was at a shelter used to house unaccompanied minors in Safety Harbor, a Pinellas County city west of Tampa, Florida.
HHS acknowledged the child’s death in a statement without providing further details regarding the circumstances of death.
The federal agency expressed pain for the “tragic loss” and provided support to the family, with whom it said it is in contact.
“As is standard practice for any situation involving the death of an unaccompanied minor or a serious health outcome, the HHS Division of Health for Unaccompanied Children -DHUC- of the Office of Refugee Resettlement -ORR- is reviewing all the clinical details of this case,” the statement said.
It further notes that an investigation is underway by a medical examiner, but that for privacy and security reasons ORR cannot share any more information.
“While under ORR’s care, minors have access to medical care, legal services, translations, and mental health counselors,” the statement underlines, following recalling that they can connect with their families through a phone call twice a week. week.
The White House also spoke regarding the event through its spokesperson, Karine Jean-Pierre, who pointed out that it is “very sad” news and that the Government is aware “of the tragic loss.”
“This is very devastating news. There is a medical investigation that was opened on May 10 and therefore we do not want to get ahead of ourselves. We have to let the investigation take place,” Jean-Pierre said, following noting that any specific questions regarding the event should be directed to HHS.
According to HHS data, this week a total of 8,681 unaccompanied minors were under the care of that agency, who spend an average of 29 days in their custody.
Most of the children referred to ORR in the last year, specifically 72%, were over 14 years of age.
The death of the minor occurs following the end this Thursday in the United States of Title 42, a measure initiated by Donald Trump (2017-2021) and continued by President Joe Biden to immediately expel migrants on the grounds of the covid pandemic. -19, an emergency declaration that has already ended in the US.
Given the immigration scenario in the US, civil and pro-immigrant groups filed a federal lawsuit in a California court once morest the Biden government for the new restrictions imposed on asylum seekers. EFE
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