May 1, 2025

Contact: 

Texas Civil Rights Project, media@texascivilrightsproject.org 

Haitian Bridge Alliance, media@haitianbridge.org 

Texas Civil Rights Project and Haitian Bridge Alliance are seeking damages on behalf of the family of Anadith Danay Reyes Álvarez

HARLINGEN, TX – Today, the Texas Civil Rights Project (TCRP), the Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA), and the Texas A&M University School of Law Civil Rights Clinic, filed a Standard Form 95 (SF 95) claiming wrongful death, personal injury, and emotional distress on behalf of the family of Anadith Danay Reyes Álvarez, an 8-year-old girl who died while in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody in 2023. View the SF 95 filing here.

TCRP and HBA have represented the family in an investigation of Anadith’s case since 2023. Throughout the investigation, the organizations have been met with roadblocks from CBP in accessing Anadith’s medical records. Additionally, CBP officials have tried to claim that Anadith was sickly and had prior health conditions. However,when she was apprehended with her family on May 9, 2023, Anadith was healthy and her health conditions were well managed. Then, when she became sick in the detention facility, her mother’s repeated requests for appropriate medical care were rejected. Moments after being denied the ability to go to the hospital yet again, Anadith passed away in her mother’s arms while in the CBP facility on May 17, 2023. 

In January 2025, the Senate Judiciary Committee published their investigation’s findings in Anadith’s death, which stated that, “The circumstances that resulted in Anadith’s death were unfortunately not an aberration, but indicative of systemic problems with the provision of medical care in CBP facilities and CBP’s broader failure to properly oversee that case.” 

“Today, we filed a wrongful death claim on behalf of Anadith Danay Reyes Álvarez’s family and are demanding accountability and transparency from Customs and Border Protection –– an agency that has failed far too many.” said Rochelle Garza, President of the Texas Civil Rights Project. “CBP’s refusal to provide Anadith the medical care she needed was cruel and  inhumane. We are seeking justice for Anadith’s memory and fighting for a future where no parent’s child dies in their arms in CBP custody. CBP must act now to prevent another tragedy like this.” 

“Anadith’s family has suffered a tragic, preventable loss. Had CBP actually administered medical care, Anadith would still be with us today. Filing this wrongful death claim will not bring Anadith back, but it is a step towards accountability and justice for her family,” said Kassandra Gonzalez, Senior Attorney with the Texas Civil Rights Project. 

“The death of 8 year old Anadith Danay Reyes Álvarez who dreamed of one day becoming a doctor is a stark reminder of the systemic failures within our immigration system. It is unconscionable that a young girl was denied the medical care she desperately needed.” said Guerline Jozef, Executive Director of Haitian Bridge Alliance. “As we near the second anniversary of the tragic yet preventable death, we filed the wrongful death claim to seek on behalf of Anadith and her family in their pursuit of justice and accountability. We demand that Customs and Border Protection take immediate and meaningful action to ensure that no other family has to endure such a heartbreaking tragedy. Our fight is for a humane and just immigration system that prioritizes the dignity and well-being of every individual, and not death traps for those in search of safety and protection.”

“Anadith’s death was clearly preventable,” said Erik Crew, Staff Attorney with the Haitian Bridge Alliance and co-counsel on the claim, “and the family deserves the accountability and measures of justice that the government must be able to give.”

TCRP and HBA respectfully request that the press refrain from contacting Anadith’s family directly, who do not wish to speak to the media at this time. If you have any questions please contact TCRP or HBA media representatives.