17-year-old Honduran migrant dies in US custody

A 17-year-old migrant from Honduras, who arrived alone in the United States, has died while under government custody. The teenager, identified as Ángel Eduardo Maradiaga Espinoza by the Honduran foreign affairs office, passed away at a shelter facility in Florida. The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed the death without providing details about the cause or the boy’s identity.

The shelter where the incident occurred is managed by the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement, which is responsible for the care of unaccompanied migrant children. The Honduran government has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the teenager’s death and is in contact with his family. According to a source, the boy had been in US custody for five days before being found unconscious and later pronounced dead at a local hospital.

US officials stated that there was no altercation involved in the incident. The boy’s mother mentioned that he had aspired to live the American Dream. A medical examiner’s investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of death. Deaths in HHS custody are uncommon, although previous reports have documented some cases. The HHS, due to privacy and safety concerns, has not disclosed further information about the incident.

After the expiration of Title 42, a border policy implemented during the pandemic to swiftly expel migrants crossing illegally, news of the migrant minor’s death has emerged. Concerns had been raised about a potential surge in migrant arrivals and the resulting strain on detention and shelter facilities. However, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reported no significant increase in migrants being processed into custody on Friday, and it remains unclear if the minor’s death is related to the lifting of Title 42.

The White House expressed condolences to the family and mentioned that President Biden’s briefing on the incident is yet to be confirmed. Currently, HHS is responsible for over 8,000 unaccompanied migrant minors, with an average custody period of 29 days. Data indicates that three out of ten migrant minors in US custody originate from Honduras.

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