DNC Hispanic Media Director Enrique Gutiérrez released the following statement in response to the death of a 7-year-old Guatemalan girl while in CBP custody:
“Everyone must be treated with dignity and respect—whether you’re a U.S. citizen or a 7-year-old Guatemalan girl immigrating with her family to the U.S. Since the start of this administration’s ‘zero-tolerance’ policy, we’ve seen an escalation in the cruel treatment of immigrants, with children being separated from their parents, housed in cages, and fleeing tear gas retaliation by the U.S. Border Patrol. This cannot be who we are as a country, and we need an immediate investigation to ensure this never happens again.”