Dozens of prominent figures, including Pedro Pascal and Madonna, have signed an open letter urging the federal government to shut down the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, citing concerns over the treatment of minors detained there with their families.
The letter opens by saying that "no child should be locked in an immigration detention center," and calls for the facility's immediate closure. It further alleges that those held at Dilley face "trauma, neglect and conditions that violate basic standards of health, safety, dignity and human rights," including lack of clean water, contaminated food and inadequate medical care.
Additional signatories of the letter include Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo and America Ferrera. The missive demands not only closure but also "transparency, accountability, and systemic reforms" across the immigration detention system.
Recent reporting has added to scrutiny of the facility. According to a sprawling report by NBC News in late February, emergency services have been called multiple times to Dilley in recent months to respond to minors experiencing respiratory distress, seizures and other medical emergencies.
Some were transported to hospitals, including specialized pediatric facilities more than an hour away. Physicians cited in the report said detention settings are incompatible with children's health and can contribute to worsening conditions.
Accounts from families and legal filings reviewed by The Marshall Project back in November echo these concerns while also reporting on prolonged detention and deteriorating mental and physical health among minors. Data shows that more than 1,300 children had been held for 20 days or longer up to that month, exceeding the benchmark established under the Flores settlement, which generally limits the detention of minors with their families.
Parents have described limited access to medical care, poor nutrition and psychological stress. In one court declaration, a mother described the facility as "a jail for children," while others reported that their children exhibited signs of distress, including anxiety and regression.
Federal officials and CoreCivic, the private contractor operating the facility, have disputed those claims. In a statements provided to the Marshall Project report they claimed families are housed in conditions that meet federal standards and that medical care is available, with emergency responses reflecting precautionary protocols rather than systemic issues.
The renewed attention comes as the federal government has expanded the use of family detention as part of its broader immigration enforcement strategy.
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