Eight Year Old Migrant Girl of Garifuna Heritage, Dies While in Custody of United States Border Patrol in Texas

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Copyright 2023 by Teofilo Colon Jr (a.k.a. “Tio Teo” or “T.O. Tayo”) for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved. Contact Tio Teo.

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Harlingen, Texas – 8 Year Old Immigrant Girl, Anadith Tanay Reyes Alvarez, born in Panama with Parents of Honduran Garifuna Heritage, Died while in Custody of The United States Border Patrol in South Texas last week.

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This news was confirmed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on WEDNESDAY night, May 17th 2023.

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According to Spanish Language Television Network, Univision, both the child and her parents were in custody at The Harlingen Immigration Detention Center when the little girl experienced a medical emergency.

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Rossel Reyes Martinez (Father, On The Right)

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Anadith was taken to the Hospital, where she was pronounced Dead.

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The Parents, Rossel Reyes and Mabel Alvarez, who both are Garinagu (plural for Garifuna) from Bajamar, Honduras, say that Border Patrol Agents at The Harlingen Immigrant Center acted too late as Anadith spent days complaining of having trouble breathing and that Agents only called the ambulance after Anadith had already fainted and that it was too late.

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Mabel Alvarez (Mother, On The Left)

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Border Patrol insists that the girl was being treated when she collapsed and later died while being taken by ambulance to the Hospital. They add that Anadith had surgery for heart problems three years ago. The authorities have not determined Anadith’s cause of death and are currently investigating the case.

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Mabel Alvarez (Mother, On The Left)

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According to NBC News, Anadith had Congenital Heart Disease and Sickle Cell Anemia. She traveled to The United States with her parents and her siblings, an older sister of 14 and an older brother of 12. Apparently, Anadith was born with that Heart Condition.

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In the articles that I have read about this case, as well as by watching and listening to emotional, heartbreaking interviews, the Parents are essentially accusing the Authorities of Negligence and are calling for Justice for their daughter. It will be interesting to see what the Investigation will reveal.

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Maria Zelaya (Aunt)

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The Harlingen Immigrant Center is located in the Southern Tip of Texas. Very close to the United States and Mexico Border. Migrant crossings are likely very active in that area.

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How is Anadith from Panama?

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You may wonder how is it that Anadith has a Panama nationality? Well, around 2014 or 2015, there was an exodus of Hondurans migrating to Panama for work opportunities that apparently were available in Panama.

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Domestic work, Housekeeping, Retail Work, Restaurant Work, Farm Work, Factory Work, etc. Forklift Operators, Mechanics, etc. I am told that specifically Hondurans from Bajamar and Cortes migrated to Panama for Work.

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Sadly, Work didn’t turn out as hoped and many, allegedly suffered from job mistreatment, unfair business practices, low wages, etc. With that, most, if not all, returned back to their native towns.

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So Anadith’s parents went out to Panama looking for work and while there, conceived Anadith.

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Funeral Arrangements for Anadith Tanay Reyes Alvarez

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United Kingdom News Website, The Mirror, reports that the fundraisers are being held to bring Anadith’s remains to New York City.

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Lorena Santos, an aunt of Anadith, currently lives in New York City and in a statement to The Mirror, revealed that the family’s goal was to get to the United States to get better treatment for Anadith’s health conditions.

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A source to BEING GARIFUNA stated that another reason for bringing Anadith’s remains to New York City is that most of her family lives there. However, apparently the Honduran Consulate will only pay for the body to go back to Honduras. Apparently, the family is determined to stay in The United States.

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The family is trying to figure things out now. How will this drama be resolved in the midst of all this pain and grief?

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Teiba Ameragua (“Rest In Peace” or “Go Rest” in the Garifuna Language), Anadith.

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