Congressman Sounds Alarm Over Sick Toddler in Texas ICE Detention
Democratic Congressman Joaquin Castro has issued a stark warning regarding the welfare of a two-year-old boy detained at a family immigration facility in Dilley, Texas. The child, named Kaleth, is reportedly suffering from a fever and refusing to eat the food provided, which detainees have complained contains mold and worms.
"When his mother asked for help, the staff said it was all 'mental'," Castro stated in a social media post. "A vulnerable child at the Dilley trailer prison was suffering and ICE denied their reality and their needs. It's shameful and must stop."
Chronic Issues at Dilley Facility Under Scrutiny
The Dilley detention centre, formally known as the South Texas Family Residential Center, has faced persistent criticism for failing to provide adequate care and nutrition to families. In February, the facility reported two cases of measles, highlighting concerns over health standards. This is the same location where a five-year-old asylum seeker, Liam Conejo Ramos, and his father were held for a week after being detained in Minneapolis.
Castro has long advocated for the immediate closure of the centre, condemning the immigration policies of the Trump administration as inhumane. He has actively worked to secure the release of several immigrants from Dilley and is now demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) provide proper medical attention to Kaleth and release him and his mother, Joani, without delay.
Private Company Profits from Detention Operations
The facility is operated on behalf of ICE by CoreCivic, a private corrections and detention company. CoreCivic anticipates generating approximately $180 million in annual revenue from the property through at least March 2030. In response to allegations, Brian Todd, CoreCivic's manager of public affairs, asserted in February that claims regarding access to clean drinking water were false and that healthcare services are available to all detainees.
"The health and safety of those entrusted to our care is the top priority for CoreCivic," Todd emphasised. However, numerous reports from children and parents who have spent weeks or months at Dilley contradict this, citing shortages of clean drinking water, chronic sleep deprivation, and difficulties in obtaining hygiene supplies and prompt medical care.
Disturbing Accounts of Inhumane Conditions Emerge
A court filing dated 15 September provided detailed and alarming descriptions of the conditions at the lockup. Accounts depict a "prison-like environment" where guards refer to detainees as "inmates" despite their non-criminal status, with families living in "cell-like trailers." These allegations have intensified calls for reform and closure.
In a recent video posted on social media, Castro underscored his demand to shut down Dilley, arguing that the United States has commodified child suffering. "We have allowed investors to profit from the imprisonment of innocent children. Some are as young as two months old. We must shut down the Dilley trailer prison and #FreeOurChildren," he declared.
The ongoing situation at the Dilley facility continues to spark national debate over immigration detention practices, with advocates urging immediate action to protect vulnerable families and ensure humane treatment.
