U.S. News

New Guidelines Require Border Patrol to Promptly Report Deaths in Custody

TRANSPARENCY

After border officials failed to publicly disclose the death of a 7-year-old.

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Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced new guidelines Tuesday for reporting the deaths of people in its custody after facing criticism for the previously undisclosed Dec. 8 death of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal. Under the guidelines, which were published on the agency’s website, CBP must inform lawmakers within 24 hours of a death in CBP custody, and issue media statements an hour after that. “To secure and maintain the public trust, CBP’s intent is to be accessible and transparent by providing appropriate information to the Congress and the public regarding any death occurring in custody,” the agency said. Caal died at an El Paso pediatric hospital of dehydration, shock and liver failure, according to CBP statements. Her death, on Dec. 8, was first reported by The Washington Post five days later.

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