Democrats Urge Shutdown of Texas Family Detention Center Reopened Under Trump

Rep. Joaquin Castro and more than 110 Democratic members of Congress sent a letter on July 16 to Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin urging the shutdown of the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas. The letter described the facility as the only place in the United States dedicated to detaining families with children who have not been charged with a crime.

It said there is no humane way to imprison a child and their family and called the site a trailer prison. The letter alleged horrific conditions at the center operated by CoreCivic, including food contaminated with worms and mold, drinking water that leaves detainees sick, lights kept on through the night, and medical care that is delayed or denied.

It cited one case in which a young boy received hospital treatment only after several days of severe stomach pain and was diagnosed with appendicitis.

The letter also stated that children are held beyond the 20-day limit set by the Flores Settlement Agreement, with families reporting no clear timeline for release. Government data showed that in February and March the average time children spent in custody at Dilley was 57 days and the median was 44 days, with 92 children detained 61 to 90 days and 80 held more than 91 days.

DHS Chief Medical Officer Dr.

Sean Conley said in February that allegations of denied medical care in ICE custody are false and that detainees receive timely and appropriate care, including 24-hour emergency services. A DHS spokesperson said the representatives remain quiet about a humanitarian crisis manufactured by prior open border policies and pointed to efforts to rescue children from trafficking.