WASHINGTON, D.C.— In response to the release of video showing that U.S. Border Patrol left a child from Guatemala, 16-year-old Carlos Hernandez Vasquez, to die alone of the flu in a concrete cell, PFAW Political Director and Director of the PFAW Latinos Vote! program Lizet Ocampo released the following statement:

“We are numb with shock and grief at the cruelty shown to a gravely ill teenager, Carlos Hernandez Vasquez, in Border Patrol custody.  Carlos was left to die alone and in excruciating pain — and he is one of an ever-growing number of children to die in the custody of immigration authorities.  In addition, reports indicate that officials initially tried to cover up their negligence in his death.  During times like these, there are almost no words to express the base inhumanity of the Trump administration’s policy toward immigrants.  This administration literally has blood on its hands, and there is no condemnation strong enough for what it has done to Carlos and to other children and adults who are suffering and dying at the hands of the U.S. government.”

PFAW is currently hosting a petition demanding an end to the Trump administration’s cruel treatment of immigrant children in detention, here: https://act.pfaw.org/sign/trump-administration-treatment-migrant-children/

About Latinos Vote! 

PFAW’s Latinos Vote! program exposes and counters anti-immigrant, anti-Latino rhetoric and policies. Through electoral work, we hold groups, leaders and influencers accountable at the polls for the harm they do to immigrant and Latino communities.

About People For the American Way

People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity.  Learn more: https://www.pfaw.org.

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