The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected Washington's accusations that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/i-could-have-a-very-good-relationship-with-russia--putin-trump-128197">Russia tried to disrupt the 2016 presidential vote</a> and sought to demoralise African-Americans, calling the charges incomprehensible.

According to a new report for the US Senate, the primary goal of Russia's Internet Research Agency (IRA) was to deepen divisions in US society and convince Democrat-favouring liberals -- including Latinos, youths and the LGBTQ community -- not to vote.&nbsp;

The most extensive analysis yet of thousands of IRA ads and posts across social media in 2015-2017 showed an emphasis on provoking the anger of black Americans so that they would stay home on election day.

For example, the IRA-created account "Blacktivist" sent out messages on the Democratic candidate such as: "No lives matter to Hillary Clinton. Only votes matter to Hillary Clinton."

Another IRA account, "Black Matters", posted on Facebook: "Cops kill black kids. Are you sure that your son won't be the next?"

Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the report by the Computational Propaganda Project at Oxford University and social media specialists Graphika caused "nothing but incomprehension."

"It voices absolutely general charges and accusations and some of them are absolutely unclear to us," Peskov told reporters on a conference call.

"We are reproached that someone critically thinks of a situation in this or that social sphere in the United States but it is not explained what Russia has to do with it," he said.

He reiterated Russia's long-standing position that any such claims were unfounded.&nbsp;

"The Russian state, the Russian government had and has nothing to do with any interference, especially one that is described in such abstract terms," Peskov added.

The IRA is believed to have been set up by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman close to Putin, as a propaganda tool.&nbsp;

Russia has been accused of manipulating the 2016 US presidential vote through a vast propaganda campaign in favour of Donald Trump.&nbsp;

US investigators are probing alleged collusion between Russian agents and Trump's campaign.&nbsp;

The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected Washington's accusations that Russia tried to disrupt the 2016 presidential vote and sought to demoralise African-Americans, calling the charges incomprehensible.

The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected Washington's accusations that Russia tried to disrupt the 2016 presidential vote and sought to demoralise African-Americans, calling the charges incomprehensible. According to a new report for the US Senate, the primary goal of Russia's Internet Research Agency (IRA) was to deepen divisions in US society and convince Democrat-favouring liberals -- including Latinos, youths and the LGBTQ community -- not to vote. The most extensive analysis yet of thousands of IRA ads and posts across social media in 2015-2017 showed an emphasis on provoking the anger of black Americans so that they would stay home on election day. For example, the IRA-created account "Blacktivist" sent out messages on the Democratic candidate such as: "No lives matter to Hillary Clinton. Only votes matter to Hillary Clinton." Another IRA account, "Black Matters", posted on Facebook: "Cops kill black kids. Are you sure that your son won't be the next?" Russian President Vladimir Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the report by the Computational Propaganda Project at Oxford University and social media specialists Graphika caused "nothing but incomprehension." "It voices absolutely general charges and accusations and some of them are absolutely unclear to us," Peskov told reporters on a conference call. "We are reproached that someone critically thinks of a situation in this or that social sphere in the United States but it is not explained what Russia has to do with it," he said. He reiterated Russia's long-standing position that any such claims were unfounded. "The Russian state, the Russian government had and has nothing to do with any interference, especially one that is described in such abstract terms," Peskov added. The IRA is believed to have been set up by Yevgeny Prigozhin, a businessman close to Putin, as a propaganda tool. Russia has been accused of manipulating the 2016 US presidential vote through a vast propaganda campaign in favour of Donald Trump. US investigators are probing alleged collusion between Russian agents and Trump's campaign.

US: Sniffer dog finds mummified monkeys inside passenger's luggage at Boston Logan Airport

Thousands of travelers at U.S. airports faced delays on Friday because of an nationwide outage of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) processing systems that lasted several hours.

Thousands of travelers delayed at US airports due to technical glitch

The acting head of the US Customs and Border Protection agency announced his resignation on Tuesday amid a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrants-describe-overcrowded-mexican-detention-centers-as-trump-ratchets-up-pressure-229762">public outcry over alarming detention conditions</a> of migrant children in Texas.

John Sanders, appointed to the post just two months ago, said in a letter obtained by several US media outlets that he planned to step down as acting CBP commissioner on July 5.

Sanders' departure coincides with the revelation of unsanitary detention conditions for children at an overcrowded Border Patrol facility in Clint, Texas, a sign of the increasing strain on resources due to soaring numbers of arrests at the US-Mexico border.

The conditions at the centre in Clint were described by a team of lawyers, doctors and others who visited the facility about 20 miles (30 kilometres) southeast of El Paso.

Nearly 250 children were transferred out of Clint on Monday but a CBP official said Tuesday that some 100 were being sent back there.

"The three-year-old before me had matted hair, a hacking cough, muddy pants, and eyes that fluttered closed with fatigue," wrote Clara Long, a researcher with Human Rights Watch who accompanied the team.

"His only caretaker for the last three weeks in a United States Border Patrol chain-link cage and then a cell... his 11-year old brother," Long said.

"Children at Clint told us they don't have regular access to showers or clean clothes, with some saying they hadn't been allowed to bathe over periods of weeks and don't have regular access to soap," she said.

'Untenable position'

Sanders has led CBP since April, when President Donald Trump tapped CBP chief Kevin McAleenan to replace Kirstjen Nielsen as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

In a message to staff, Sanders did not give a specific reason for quitting and officials told The Washington Post and The New York Times it was not clear if his resignation was directly related to the handling of underage migrants at the border.

Trump told reporters Tuesday he did not ask Sanders to step down but "knew there were going to be changed there."

According to the Post, Trump plans to name Mark Morgan, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to replace Sanders.

In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Morgan said he does not believe there is a "systemic problem" at detention facilities.

"I just don't agree that it's egregious conditions, like a systemic problem," Morgan said. "Are there issues that we can improve and get better? Absolutely."

US law requires unaccompanied minors to be returned to their parents or transferred to Health and Human Services facilities within 72 hours.

But many of the children held by the Border Patrol in Clint had been there for three or four weeks, according to the team which visited the facility on June 17.

"The Border Patrol claims that high numbers of border arrivals are causing these delays as they wait for space to open up in the somewhat more child-friendly detention centers and shelters," said HRW's Long.

Arrivals of undocumented migrants at the southern US border have surged in recent months, with 144,000 taken into custody in May alone.

"Everybody understands it is not the Border Patrol's job to take care of children," said Warren Binford, a Willamette University law professor who visited the Clint facility.

"They are as upset as we are that these children are being put into their care because they don't have the ability to care for them," Binford said on MSNBC.

"These children need to be with their families."

'Form of slavery'

Trump, asked about conditions at the detention centres, said he was "very concerned" and urged Democrats to approve $4.5 billion in emergency humanitarian funding for the southwest border.

He said "bad people" were using children to take advantage of lax US immigration laws. "It's a form of slavery what they're doing to young children," he said.

Trump also said Mexico "for the first time in 50 years is helping us" prevent border-crossing -- after he threatened steep tariffs on Mexican goods unless it did more to slow migration.

Following a week of tense negotiations, Mexico agreed to reinforce its southern border with 6,000 National Guardsmen and expand its policy of taking back migrants while the US processes their asylum claims. Mexico has also deployed 15,000 troops to the US border.

"They've done a great job," said Trump. "Hopefully they can keep it up."

The acting head of the US Customs and Border Protection agency announced his resignation on Tuesday amid a public outcry over alarming detention conditions of migrant children in Texas.

The acting head of the US Customs and Border Protection agency announced his resignation on Tuesday amid a public outcry over alarming detention conditions of migrant children in Texas. John Sanders, appointed to the post just two months ago, said in a letter obtained by several US media outlets that he planned to step down as acting CBP commissioner on July 5. Sanders' departure coincides with the revelation of unsanitary detention conditions for children at an overcrowded Border Patrol facility in Clint, Texas, a sign of the increasing strain on resources due to soaring numbers of arrests at the US-Mexico border. The conditions at the centre in Clint were described by a team of lawyers, doctors and others who visited the facility about 20 miles (30 kilometres) southeast of El Paso. Nearly 250 children were transferred out of Clint on Monday but a CBP official said Tuesday that some 100 were being sent back there. "The three-year-old before me had matted hair, a hacking cough, muddy pants, and eyes that fluttered closed with fatigue," wrote Clara Long, a researcher with Human Rights Watch who accompanied the team. "His only caretaker for the last three weeks in a United States Border Patrol chain-link cage and then a cell... his 11-year old brother," Long said. "Children at Clint told us they don't have regular access to showers or clean clothes, with some saying they hadn't been allowed to bathe over periods of weeks and don't have regular access to soap," she said. 'Untenable position' Sanders has led CBP since April, when President Donald Trump tapped CBP chief Kevin McAleenan to replace Kirstjen Nielsen as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. In a message to staff, Sanders did not give a specific reason for quitting and officials told The Washington Post and The New York Times it was not clear if his resignation was directly related to the handling of underage migrants at the border. Trump told reporters Tuesday he did not ask Sanders to step down but "knew there were going to be changed there." According to the Post, Trump plans to name Mark Morgan, acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to replace Sanders. In an interview with CBS News on Tuesday, Morgan said he does not believe there is a "systemic problem" at detention facilities. "I just don't agree that it's egregious conditions, like a systemic problem," Morgan said. "Are there issues that we can improve and get better? Absolutely." US law requires unaccompanied minors to be returned to their parents or transferred to Health and Human Services facilities within 72 hours. But many of the children held by the Border Patrol in Clint had been there for three or four weeks, according to the team which visited the facility on June 17. "The Border Patrol claims that high numbers of border arrivals are causing these delays as they wait for space to open up in the somewhat more child-friendly detention centers and shelters," said HRW's Long. Arrivals of undocumented migrants at the southern US border have surged in recent months, with 144,000 taken into custody in May alone. "Everybody understands it is not the Border Patrol's job to take care of children," said Warren Binford, a Willamette University law professor who visited the Clint facility. "They are as upset as we are that these children are being put into their care because they don't have the ability to care for them," Binford said on MSNBC. "These children need to be with their families." 'Form of slavery' Trump, asked about conditions at the detention centres, said he was "very concerned" and urged Democrats to approve $4.5 billion in emergency humanitarian funding for the southwest border. He said "bad people" were using children to take advantage of lax US immigration laws. "It's a form of slavery what they're doing to young children," he said. Trump also said Mexico "for the first time in 50 years is helping us" prevent border-crossing -- after he threatened steep tariffs on Mexican goods unless it did more to slow migration. Following a week of tense negotiations, Mexico agreed to reinforce its southern border with 6,000 National Guardsmen and expand its policy of taking back migrants while the US processes their asylum claims. Mexico has also deployed 15,000 troops to the US border. "They've done a great job," said Trump. "Hopefully they can keep it up."

US border chief John Sanders quits amid outcry over child detainees

US&nbsp;Customs and Border Protection agents did everything they could to get medical help for two children who subsequently died in their custody, the CBP chief Kevin McAleenan said on Sunday.

McAleenan told ABC's "This Week" it had been a decade since a child had died in the agency's custody and the loss of two Guatemalan children in three weeks has been "absolutely devastating."

Felipe Gomez Alonzo, 8, was the second Guatemalan child to die this month while being held by US authorities, sparking outrage from immigration advocates.

The boy's death followed the death in early December of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal, also from Guatemala. She died after being detained along with her father by US border agents in a remote part of New Mexico.

"Our agents did everything they could, as soon as these children manifested symptoms of illness, to save their lives," McAleenan said.

After the second death, the CBP said it will conduct secondary medical checks on all children in its custody, with a focus on those under 10.

Meanwhile, Trump earlier in the day blamed Democrats&nbsp;for the death of migrant children crossing into the US.

The US President personally took to Twitter saying, "Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally."

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can’t. If we had a Wall, they wouldn’t even try! The two.....
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1079082188665171971?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Trump has made hardline immigration policies a central plank of his presidency, drawing fire from critics who accuse him of demonizing migrants for political gain.

He is locked in a battle with Congress over funding for his planned border wall, which he claims will stem migration from Latin American countries plagued by gang violence and poverty.

(With inputs from news agencies)

Felipe Gomez Alonzo, 8, was the second Guatemalan child to die this month while being held by US authorities, sparking outrage from immigration advocates.

US Customs and Border Protection agents did everything they could to get medical help for two children who subsequently died in their custody, the CBP chief Kevin McAleenan said on Sunday. McAleenan told ABC's "This Week" it had been a decade since a child had died in the agency's custody and the loss of two Guatemalan children in three weeks has been "absolutely devastating." Felipe Gomez Alonzo, 8, was the second Guatemalan child to die this month while being held by US authorities, sparking outrage from immigration advocates. The boy's death followed the death in early December of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal, also from Guatemala. She died after being detained along with her father by US border agents in a remote part of New Mexico. "Our agents did everything they could, as soon as these children manifested symptoms of illness, to save their lives," McAleenan said. After the second death, the CBP said it will conduct secondary medical checks on all children in its custody, with a focus on those under 10. Meanwhile, Trump earlier in the day blamed Democrats for the death of migrant children crossing into the US. The US President personally took to Twitter saying, "Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally." Any deaths of children or others at the Border are strictly the fault of the Democrats and their pathetic immigration policies that allow people to make the long trek thinking they can enter our country illegally. They can’t. If we had a Wall, they wouldn’t even try! The two..... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 29, 2018 × Trump has made hardline immigration policies a central plank of his presidency, drawing fire from critics who accuse him of demonizing migrants for political gain. He is locked in a battle with Congress over funding for his planned border wall, which he claims will stem migration from Latin American countries plagued by gang violence and poverty. (With inputs from news agencies)

Agents did everything they could to save children: CBP chief on two kids who died in US detention centre

America's border security head warned Wednesday officials were overwhelmed by the "enormous flow" of families crossing from Mexico, appealing to Congress for health care funding after a second child died in custody.

US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said the agency was unable to cope with the thousands of arrivals, as most facilities were built decades ago for men arriving alone.

"We need help from Congress. We need to budget for medical care and mental healthcare for children in our facilities," McAleenan told CBS News.

The official said he expected almost 25,000 migrant children to be in US custody by the end of the year -- a greater number than ever before. &nbsp;

"That's an enormous flow, that's very different from what we've seen before," he said, adding that the onset of the flu season was taxing the ability of staff to properly care for every child.

Guatemala has called for an investigation into the eight-year-old boy's death, which came just three weeks after a seven-year-old Guatemalan girl died in similar circumstances.

The boy was detained with his father at a crossing in El Paso, Texas on December 18 and had been transferred to a New Mexico medical center showing signs of sickness on Monday, the agency said.

Staff diagnosed him with a cold but later discovered a fever. He was discharged midday, with prescriptions for ibuprofen and the antibiotic amoxicillin.

The boy was later sent back to the hospital suffering from nausea and vomiting. He died shortly before midnight on December 24.

The CBP said it had not established an official cause of death but would "ensure an independent and thorough review of the circumstances."

Late Tuesday McAleenan announced the agency was "conducting secondary medical checks upon all children in CBP care and custody" with particular focus on children under 10.

'Dangerous' policies

The child's death came with US President Donald Trump locked in a battle with Congress over funding for a border wall he says will stem migration from Latin American countries plagued by gang violence and poverty.

The sparring among lawmakers triggered a lapse in funding that has partially shut down the federal government, with the president showing no appetite for a compromise.

Asked if he thought the shutdown was worth it, McAleenan replied that "we need border security investments, absolutely."

"I'm committed to improving our conditions, even as we work on the broader problems -- border security and of course solving the issues in our legal framework that are inviting these families and children to make this dangerous journey," he said.

McAleenan said the CBP was considering seeking medical support from other government agencies, among them the US Coast Guard and the Department of Defense.

Opposition Democrats reacted to the boy's death by accusing Trump -- who has made hardline immigration policies a central plank of his presidency -- of demonizing migrants for political gain.

"Heartbroken and sickened by this news," Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico tweeted.

"The Trump administration must be held accountable for this child's death and all the lives they have put in danger with their intentional chaos and disregard for human life."

Nydia Velazquez, a Democratic congresswoman from New York, demanded "accountability" and an end to the White House's "hateful, dangerous anti-immigrant policies."

'Searching for a dream'

The boy's death came on the same day that Jakelin Caal, the Guatemalan girl who died in US custody, was buried.

Her body arrived on Sunday in San Antonio Secortez, the remote village where her family -- members of the indigenous Q'eqchi' Maya people -- live without electricity and other basic services.

"This girl left home happy searching for a dream, but unfortunately died on the way," community leader Alberto Pop told AFP in the cemetery.

"You hear that in the United States they pay well, not like the companies here in Guatemala -- that's why people leave," said Pop, whose 22-year-old son Joaquin left in November in search of a better life.

"I don't know if he is alive or dead."

US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said the agency was unable to cope with the thousands of arrivals, as most facilities were built decades ago for men arriving alone.

America's border security head warned Wednesday officials were overwhelmed by the "enormous flow" of families crossing from Mexico, appealing to Congress for health care funding after a second child died in custody. US Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Kevin McAleenan said the agency was unable to cope with the thousands of arrivals, as most facilities were built decades ago for men arriving alone. "We need help from Congress. We need to budget for medical care and mental healthcare for children in our facilities," McAleenan told CBS News. The official said he expected almost 25,000 migrant children to be in US custody by the end of the year -- a greater number than ever before. "That's an enormous flow, that's very different from what we've seen before," he said, adding that the onset of the flu season was taxing the ability of staff to properly care for every child. Guatemala has called for an investigation into the eight-year-old boy's death, which came just three weeks after a seven-year-old Guatemalan girl died in similar circumstances. The boy was detained with his father at a crossing in El Paso, Texas on December 18 and had been transferred to a New Mexico medical center showing signs of sickness on Monday, the agency said. Staff diagnosed him with a cold but later discovered a fever. He was discharged midday, with prescriptions for ibuprofen and the antibiotic amoxicillin. The boy was later sent back to the hospital suffering from nausea and vomiting. He died shortly before midnight on December 24. The CBP said it had not established an official cause of death but would "ensure an independent and thorough review of the circumstances." Late Tuesday McAleenan announced the agency was "conducting secondary medical checks upon all children in CBP care and custody" with particular focus on children under 10. 'Dangerous' policies The child's death came with US President Donald Trump locked in a battle with Congress over funding for a border wall he says will stem migration from Latin American countries plagued by gang violence and poverty. The sparring among lawmakers triggered a lapse in funding that has partially shut down the federal government, with the president showing no appetite for a compromise. Asked if he thought the shutdown was worth it, McAleenan replied that "we need border security investments, absolutely." "I'm committed to improving our conditions, even as we work on the broader problems -- border security and of course solving the issues in our legal framework that are inviting these families and children to make this dangerous journey," he said. McAleenan said the CBP was considering seeking medical support from other government agencies, among them the US Coast Guard and the Department of Defense. Opposition Democrats reacted to the boy's death by accusing Trump -- who has made hardline immigration policies a central plank of his presidency -- of demonizing migrants for political gain. "Heartbroken and sickened by this news," Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico tweeted. "The Trump administration must be held accountable for this child's death and all the lives they have put in danger with their intentional chaos and disregard for human life." Nydia Velazquez, a Democratic congresswoman from New York, demanded "accountability" and an end to the White House's "hateful, dangerous anti-immigrant policies." 'Searching for a dream' The boy's death came on the same day that Jakelin Caal, the Guatemalan girl who died in US custody, was buried. Her body arrived on Sunday in San Antonio Secortez, the remote village where her family -- members of the indigenous Q'eqchi' Maya people -- live without electricity and other basic services. "This girl left home happy searching for a dream, but unfortunately died on the way," community leader Alberto Pop told AFP in the cemetery. "You hear that in the United States they pay well, not like the companies here in Guatemala -- that's why people leave," said Pop, whose 22-year-old son Joaquin left in November in search of a better life. "I don't know if he is alive or dead."

US border chief urges health funding as second child migrant dies

US Customs and Border Protection announced medical checks on all children in its custody following the death of an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/second-guatemalan-migrant-child-dies-in-us-custody-186481">eight-year-old Guatemalan migrant </a>-- the second child fatality in American detention this month.

Guatemala called for an investigation into the boy's death and some <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/death-of-seven-year-old-migrant-girl-in-us-custody-sparks-furor-184139">US lawmakers angrily denounced the Trump administration</a>'s immigration policy.

The boy, identified by Texas congressman Joaquin Castro as Felipe Alonzo Gomez, had been transferred to a New Mexico medical center showing signs of sickness on Monday, the agency said Tuesday.

Staff diagnosed him with a cold but later discovered a fever. He was released at midday, with prescriptions for ibuprofen and the antibiotic amoxicillin.

Alonzo, who was with his apprehended father, was later transferred back to the hospital suffering from nausea and vomiting. He died on Monday, just before midnight.

The CBP said it had not established an official cause of death but would "ensure an independent and thorough review of the circumstances".

Late Tuesday, commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan announced the agency was "conducting secondary medical checks upon all children in CBP care and custody," and "reviewing its policies with particular focus upon care and custody of children under 10.

"This is a tragic loss. On behalf of US Customs and Border Protection, our deepest sympathies go out to the family," he added.

McAleenan said the CBP was considering seeking medical support from other government agencies, among them the US Coast Guard and the Department of Defense.

"CBP is coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control on the numbers of children in custody as well," he said.

Guatemala called on US authorities to conduct a "clear" investigation of the death, adding that "medical reports have been requested... to clarify the cause of death of the child".

The news of the boy's death triggered outrage among lawmakers.

"The Administration's policy of turning people away from legal ports of entry ... is putting families and children in great danger," Castro, chairman elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said in a statement.

"Another child dies under this Administration's watch," tweeted Democratic Congressman Marc Veasey, also of Texas.

"Such a devastating story to hear on Christmas Day."

"Heartbroken and sickened by this news," Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico wrote on Twitter.

"I am urgently demanding more details, but the Trump administration must be held accountable for this child's death and all the lives they have put in danger with their intentional chaos and disregard for human life," he tweeted.

'Searching for a dream'

The boy's death came on the same day that <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/father-of-dead-guatemalan-migrant-calls-for-objective-investigation-into-death-184403">Jakelin Caal, a Guatemalan girl who died in US custody </a>under similar circumstances earlier this month, was buried.

Her body was repatriated on Sunday and after a long journey reached San Antonio Secortez, the remote village where her family -- members of the indigenous Q'eqchi' Maya people -- live without electricity and other basic services.

"This girl left home happy searching for a dream, but unfortunately died on the way," community leader Alberto Pop told AFP in the cemetery.

"You hear that in the United States they pay well, not like the companies here in Guatemala -- that's why people leave," said Pop, whose 22-year-old son Joaquin left in November in search of the American dream.

"I don't know if he is alive or dead."

Caal's December 8 death reignited debate in the United States over immigration policy and the treatment of migrants.

President Donald Trump has made hardline immigration policies a central plank of his presidency, drawing fire from critics who accuse him of demonizing migrants for political gain.

He is locked in a battle with Congress over funding for his planned wall along the border with Mexico, which he says will stem migration from Latin American countries plagued by gang violence and poverty.

"Heartbroken to hear of a second child's death in CBP custody," tweeted Nydia Velazquez, a Democratic congresswoman from New York.

"We must demand accountability, find answers and put an end to this Administration's hateful, dangerous anti-immigrant policies."

US Customs and Border Protection announced medical checks on all children in its custody following the death of an eight-year-old Guatemalan migrant -- the second child fatality in American detention this month.

US Customs and Border Protection announced medical checks on all children in its custody following the death of an eight-year-old Guatemalan migrant -- the second child fatality in American detention this month. Guatemala called for an investigation into the boy's death and some US lawmakers angrily denounced the Trump administration's immigration policy. The boy, identified by Texas congressman Joaquin Castro as Felipe Alonzo Gomez, had been transferred to a New Mexico medical center showing signs of sickness on Monday, the agency said Tuesday. Staff diagnosed him with a cold but later discovered a fever. He was released at midday, with prescriptions for ibuprofen and the antibiotic amoxicillin. Alonzo, who was with his apprehended father, was later transferred back to the hospital suffering from nausea and vomiting. He died on Monday, just before midnight. The CBP said it had not established an official cause of death but would "ensure an independent and thorough review of the circumstances". Late Tuesday, commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan announced the agency was "conducting secondary medical checks upon all children in CBP care and custody," and "reviewing its policies with particular focus upon care and custody of children under 10. "This is a tragic loss. On behalf of US Customs and Border Protection, our deepest sympathies go out to the family," he added. McAleenan said the CBP was considering seeking medical support from other government agencies, among them the US Coast Guard and the Department of Defense. "CBP is coordinating with the Centers for Disease Control on the numbers of children in custody as well," he said. Guatemala called on US authorities to conduct a "clear" investigation of the death, adding that "medical reports have been requested... to clarify the cause of death of the child". The news of the boy's death triggered outrage among lawmakers. "The Administration's policy of turning people away from legal ports of entry ... is putting families and children in great danger," Castro, chairman elect of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, said in a statement. "Another child dies under this Administration's watch," tweeted Democratic Congressman Marc Veasey, also of Texas. "Such a devastating story to hear on Christmas Day." "Heartbroken and sickened by this news," Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico wrote on Twitter. "I am urgently demanding more details, but the Trump administration must be held accountable for this child's death and all the lives they have put in danger with their intentional chaos and disregard for human life," he tweeted. 'Searching for a dream' The boy's death came on the same day that Jakelin Caal, a Guatemalan girl who died in US custody under similar circumstances earlier this month, was buried. Her body was repatriated on Sunday and after a long journey reached San Antonio Secortez, the remote village where her family -- members of the indigenous Q'eqchi' Maya people -- live without electricity and other basic services. "This girl left home happy searching for a dream, but unfortunately died on the way," community leader Alberto Pop told AFP in the cemetery. "You hear that in the United States they pay well, not like the companies here in Guatemala -- that's why people leave," said Pop, whose 22-year-old son Joaquin left in November in search of the American dream. "I don't know if he is alive or dead." Caal's December 8 death reignited debate in the United States over immigration policy and the treatment of migrants. President Donald Trump has made hardline immigration policies a central plank of his presidency, drawing fire from critics who accuse him of demonizing migrants for political gain. He is locked in a battle with Congress over funding for his planned wall along the border with Mexico, which he says will stem migration from Latin American countries plagued by gang violence and poverty. "Heartbroken to hear of a second child's death in CBP custody," tweeted Nydia Velazquez, a Democratic congresswoman from New York. "We must demand accountability, find answers and put an end to this Administration's hateful, dangerous anti-immigrant policies."

US to examine migrant children in custody after second death