Joaquin Castro Calls for Closure of Dilley Family Detention Center

Congressman Joaquin Castro (D) and 111 House Democrats are urging the Department of Homeland Security to immediately shut down the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas, citing allegations of unsafe conditions, violations of children's rights, and lasting trauma experienced by detained families.

What are lawmakers demanding?

Rep. Castro led a coalition of 111 House Democrats in sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin calling for the immediate closure of the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas.

The lawmakers also urged DHS to terminate its contract with CoreCivic, the private company that operates the facility, and end the use of family detention.

Why are they calling for closure?

In the letter, lawmakers cited reports from detained families describing conditions they say have caused significant physical and emotional harm to children.

According to the members, families reported:

• Food contaminated with worms and mold.
• Children becoming ill after drinking tap water.
• Lights remaining on throughout the night, making sleep difficult.
• Delayed or denied medical care, including during medical emergencies.
• Depression, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts among some children.

The lawmakers also alleged that DHS is violating the Flores Settlement Agreement, which generally limits the detention in unlicensed immigration facilities to 20 days.

What Castro is saying

Rep. Joaquin Castro: "No Child should be in a place like the Dilley Trailer Prison."

He said that children are being separated from their normal lives and being held in harmful conditions.

Rep. Castro continued: "They should be treated like kids - not criminals. Dilley must be shut down, and we will not stop until we free the children."

Texas lawmakers who joined the letter

The following Texas members of Congress co-signed the letter:

• Joaquin Castro
• Greg Casar
• Jasmine Crockett
• Lloyd Doggett
• Veronica Escobar
• Lizzie Fletcher
• Sylvia Garcia
• Al Green
• Christian Menefee
• Marc Veasey

The Bottom Line

The letter adds to the ongoing debate over the federal government's use of family detention in immigration enforcement. While lawmakers argue the conditions at Dilley violate children's rights and federal settlement agreements, DHS has not yet publicly responded to the latest request to close the facility.