WASHINGTON (WBAP/KLIF News) – The acting head of Customs and Border Protection said the recent death of a teenage migrant at a holding facility had a major impact on him and he’s praising Congress for passing legislation to help deal with the crisis.
16-year-old Carlos Vasquez Hernandez died from flu complications while in custody at a facility in Weslaco last month. His death is among four others in U.S. custody this year.
In an interview with the Associated Press, CBP acting head John Sanders said Congress’ decision to pass a funding request was necessary for the health and well being of migrants crossing the border.
The bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee agreed to a $4.5 billion emergency spending bill for the U.S. Mexico border.
The bill is expected to pass a full Senate vote next week, amid warnings from several agencies that they’re running out of funding needed to handle the record number of migrants from Central America.
Copyright 2019. WBAP/KLIF News. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
