The Scale of Family Detention at Dilley (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Dilley, Texas – Detained children at the Immigration Processing Center expressed profound sadness and frustration in handwritten letters smuggled out of the facility.[1]
The Scale of Family Detention at Dilley
The Dilley facility stands as the only immigration detention center in the United States dedicated to families. In early February, it housed more than 750 families, with nearly half including children, alongside some 370 single adult women. The number of children in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody had risen sixfold since the start of the Trump administration.[1]
ProPublica obtained the letters in mid-January after a reporter asked detainees if their children would share their experiences. One parent collected the notes and delivered them upon release on January 20. Parents consented to public sharing, and most children had lived in the U.S. before detention.[1]
Officials from the Department of Homeland Security emphasized medical care, three daily meals, education access, and options for family deportation or child placement with caregivers. CoreCivic, the operator, highlighted oversight and safety priorities.[1]
Longing for School and Normalcy
Nine-year-old Susej F., living in Houston before detention, marked 50 days inside when she wrote her letter. She missed her school friends after two years and six months in the U.S. and felt mistreated as an immigrant.[1]
Seven-year-old Mia Valentina Paz Faria, from Austin, endured 70 days and pleaded to return to school. She disliked the food, felt bored, and missed her grandparents, friends, and uncles. A five-year-old named Luisanney Toloza simply noted “My family.”[1]
Health Struggles and Poor Conditions
Fourteen-year-old Ariana V. V., detained 45 days after living in New York, described constant sickness from viruses and three-hour waits for nurses, with medications delayed. Twelve-year-old Ender, after 60 days in Austin, criticized doctors who only advised more water despite suspicions it caused illnesses.[1]
Seventeen-year-old Scarlett Jaimes complained of repetitive meals that dulled her appetite and overpriced, low-quality store items like notebooks. Fourteen-year-old Gaby M.M., after 20 days from Houston, called the food bad and the environment hellish, with unclean conditions blamed on residents.[1]
| Child | Age | Days Detained | Origin/Last Residence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susej F. | 9 | 50 | Venezuela/Houston |
| Ariana V. V. | 14 | 45 | Honduras/New York |
| Mia Valentina | 7 | 70 | Venezuela/Austin |
| Scarlett Jaimes | 17 | Unspecified | Venezuela/El Paso |
| Gaby M.M. | 14 | 20 | Colombia/Houston |
| Ender | 12 | 60 | Venezuela/Austin |
Fear, Injustice, and Mental Toll
The letters highlighted fears of deportation to danger, with Ariana dreading harm to her mother and young siblings in Honduras. Gaby echoed sadness over denied cases forcing returns to unsafe countries. Scarlett worried about unfinished schooling and worse education back home.[1]
Children decried illegal arrests, brief 15-minute hearings, stays exceeding 20-day limits, rude officers, no proper education, and mental harm from witnessing harsh treatment. Boredom overwhelmed Scarlett, while depression gripped Ariana and Gaby.[1]
- Missing family, friends, and school routines
- Repetitive, unappetizing food
- Delayed or inadequate medical care
- Overpriced commissary goods
- Prolonged detention beyond legal norms
- Rude treatment by staff
- Lack of proper schooling
Key Takeaways
- Children endured 20 to 70 days in detention, far exceeding typical limits.
- Common themes included boredom, poor food, health issues, and emotional distress.
- Most had established U.S. lives before arrest, seeking safety from home countries.
These raw accounts from Dilley’s youngest residents underscore the human cost of prolonged family detention. For the full letters, see the ProPublica investigation.[1]
What do you think about these children’s experiences? Share in the comments.
