Democrats Accuse DHS of 'Creepy Secrecy' at Texas Family Detention Center
Democratic members of Congress have raised alarms over what they describe as a "new era of secrecy" at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in rural Texas. The facility, operated by private prison firm CoreCivic, is allegedly growing more opaque under the leadership of new Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, while families and young children inside continue to endure "cruelty" and insufficient medical treatment.
Lawmakers' Visit Reveals Scripted Responses and Lack of Transparency
During a recent visit to the sprawling facility located approximately 70 miles south of San Antonio, Representatives Joaquin Castro and Greg Casar reported that staff members read from pre-prepared scripts, which Castro likened to "propaganda." The lawmakers said their questions were deflected, with employees directing them to submit written inquiries to officials in Washington, D.C. Castro, who has visited Dilley multiple times, characterized the atmosphere as one of "creepy secrecy," noting that the place "gets locked down" when members of Congress arrive.
"Under Secretary Mullin, DHS has become more secretive, not less. And yet the cruelty remains the same," Castro stated in a briefing after the Wednesday visit. He added in a social media video, "There's a new era of secrecy at DHS. Things may be getting worse."
Medical Neglect and Emergency Calls Plague the Facility
Advocates and lawmakers report that more than 300 people, including 77 children, are currently detained at Dilley, despite a temporary drop in numbers last month. Court documents filed recently reveal that nearly 600 immigrant children have been held with inadequate food and medical care, often exceeding court-mandated detention limits. Emergency call logs reviewed by ProPublica and NBC News show that 911 was dispatched nearly a dozen times over the past six months for issues such as severe fever, broken bones, respiratory distress, seizures, and a pregnant woman losing consciousness.
Specific cases highlighted by the congressmen include a five-year-old girl with untreated cavities who has only been prescribed Ibuprofen for pain over two months, and a boy with blood in his stool who received only laxatives. "There are people there with grave medical conditions that are worsening because of lack of medical treatment and because they're not taken seriously, because they're not treated as fully human," Castro emphasized.
Historical Context and Recent Controversies
The Dilley compound, initially opened during the Obama administration to manage family border crossings, was closed to families under President Joe Biden in 2021 but reopened under the Trump administration. Recent incidents have drawn scrutiny, including the hospitalization of two infants and at least two confirmed measles cases earlier this year. One notable case involved five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos from Minnesota, who fell ill and became lethargic after being detained with his father in January.
In response to criticism, ICE issued a statement claiming the facility provides "the best healthcare illegal aliens have received in their entire lives" and is designed to house families in a "safe, structured and appropriate environment." Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons asserted in February that detention is not punitive, but rather a place for families to receive medical care, education, and other services while awaiting deportation.
Advocates and Detainees Speak Out
Zaira Garcia of advocacy group FWD.us condemned the conditions, stating, "What is happening here in Dilley is not a policy debate and it's not abstract. It is mothers, fathers and children being held behind these walls, in conditions that put their health, their safety and their dignity at risk." A 19-year-old detainee from Portland, Maine, who has been inside for five months, described the experience as "the hardest of my life," citing overwhelming uncertainty, fear, and loneliness.
As scrutiny intensifies, Democrats continue to press for transparency and improved conditions, arguing that the secrecy under new DHS leadership exacerbates the suffering of vulnerable families and children at the Dilley detention center.
