A thorough and accurate opening statement by @RepRaskin at the hearing on “Kids in Cages: Inhumane Treatment at the Border.” #CloseTheCamps #DontLookAway #MigrantPersecutionProtocols oversight.house.gov/legislation/he…
Yazmin Juárez, the mother of the 18-month-old toddler who was killed after being detained in @ICEgov custody at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, is now testifying. She said she watched her "baby girl die, slowly and painfully." #DontLookAway
She said back in Guatemala, her daughter was happy and healthy, but they had to flee and came to the US to seek asylum. They were held in @CBP custody in a "hielera" or ice box, known for the cold temperatures, and made to sleep on the concrete floor.
When they got to @ICEgov, she said mother and daughter were detained with other mothers and children, many of whom were sick and going untreated. Within a week, Ms. Juárez' toddler got sick with a respiratory infection. #DontLookAway #CloseTheCamps
"I remember her little body felt so hot." Her daughter developed a bad fever, an ear infection, and she wouldn't eat and was very weak. She began vomiting constantly. The mother tried to get her medical attention, but was ignored.
In 10 days, the baby lost 8 percent of her body weight, Ms. Juárez said. She was given some Vicks Vaporub, which she said she later learned can be bad for children under the age of 2. Ms. Juárez received notice that she and her baby would be transferred out of @ICEgov custody.
She thought that would mean she could finally see a doctor. But at 5 a.m., they were taken to be processed out of detention. Actually, her medical records said she was medically cleared. #DontLookAway #CloseTheCamps
When the two got out, Mis. Juárez admitted the toddler to the hospital. She died on what was Mother's Day in their home country. The nurses gave her a piece of paper with the baby's hand prints in pink. Her name was Mariee Juárez and she had a very sweet smile. #DontLookAway
"I'm here today because I don't want anymore little angels will suffer...They don't know the terror mothers and children feel locked in these cages, hungry and cold." Ms. Juárez said that if she could change things and protect children, she would.
It takes real courage to get up in front of the committee and the world and share this terribly painful tragedy. Members of Congress, please do not let Ms. Juárez' testimony be in vain: #CloseTheCamps and pursue alternatives to detention that include doctors and social workers.
Here's the story of what happened to baby Mariee Juárez, first reported by @VICE in 2018: news.vice.com/en_us/article/…
It’s late, and I’m at home, and I can’t stop thinking about the testimony I heard today. I wonder if our lawmakers like @Jim_Jordan and @chiproytx are thinking about Mariee and her mom and the life they should’ve had. Because there are still kids like her in detention right now.
Republican congressmen/women at the hearing warned against making a political statement rather than instituting real change. I hope they hold themselves to that same standard. Respecting human rights shouldn’t be a partisan issue.
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