Overview
- An open letter published Monday on Change.org urges the immediate shutdown of the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas and has attracted tens of thousands of signatures.
- The petition was launched by children’s educator Ms. Rachel, who drew attention to detained kids through video calls and outreach that helped spur legal help for some families.
- Citing court filings and monitor reports, the letter alleges denial of clean water, food spoiled with worms, dangerous medical neglect, sleep deprivation, blocked access to lawyers, family separations, and retaliation against protesting families.
- A March filing by attorneys for detained children said hundreds of kids were held past the 20‑day limit, while CoreCivic and the Department of Homeland Security dispute the allegations and say conditions are safe and humane.
- Court‑appointed monitors have reported more than 2,300 children detained with parents since last year, with most held at Dilley, which reopened in 2025 under a private ICE contract as litigation and oversight continue.