A 3-year-old tragically lost their life on Friday on a bus transporting migrants from South Texas to Chicago, as part of Texas’ Operation Lone Star border security initiative. The child, whose identity and cause of illness have not been disclosed, was among the asylum-seekers who had crossed the Mexican border and boarded the bus in Brownsville, Texas.
The Illinois Department of Public Health confirmed that the child’s death occurred in Marion County, in the southern part of the state. Upon the child exhibiting health issues, the bus was promptly pulled over and emergency services were contacted.
Despite every passenger receiving a temperature check prior to boarding in Brownsville and the bus being stocked with food and water, there were no reported medical concerns. However, with temperatures in Brownsville exceeding 100 degrees on Friday, it remains uncertain whether the weather played a part in the incident.
This heartrending event has provoked criticism and calls from Democratic leaders for Texas to halt the transportation of migrants to other states. Representatives Joaquin Castro of Texas and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia of Illinois released a joint statement describing Governor Abbott’s practices as “barbaric” and calling on the Biden administration to intervene.
Since the initiation of Operation Lone Star in 2021, nearly 30,000 migrants have been transported from Texas to other states, according to Texas Governor Greg Abbott. This tragic incident underscores the need for a comprehensive review of border security practices and the treatment of migrants to ensure their safety and well-being.