An eight-year-old boy from Guatemala has died in US government custody, immigration authorities say.
A Texas congressman named the child as Felipe Alonzo-Gomez.
It is the second time this month an immigrant child has died while being detained after crossing the US-Mexico border.
The previous instance saw seven-year-old Jakelin Caal, also from Guatemala, die just hours after being taken into custody.
Texan congressman Joaquin Castro called for a congressional investigation into the boy’s death.
“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.
“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.”
Photo shows family members and supporters attend the burial of Jakelin Caal Maquin in the community of San Antonio Secortez, Guatemala, 25 December 2018. After making a tour through the remote community of San Antonio Secortez, in the north of Guatemala, first in front of her grandfather’s house, then to her mother’s home and to the church, the body of Jakelin Caal Maquin entered the cemetery today for her last goodbye. The child died 17 days ago in the USA after falling ill while in the custody of US Customs and Border Patrol
