Children held in ICE detention far beyond 20-day legal limit
Mar 13, 2026

Children are being detained by ICE at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas for weeks and months, exceeding the 20-day limit established under the 1997 Flores Settlement Agreement. As of January, over 900 children were held beyond the limit, with some cases exceeding 9 months. Detainees' reports include self-harm, regression, and conditions with inadequate medical care, therapy, and education.
Sources
- 'This place broke something in us': Kids languish in ICE detention long past 20-day court limit
NBC News·Mar 13, 2026·archived copy
- 'This place broke something in us': Kids languish in ICE detention long past 20-day limit
nbcbayarea.com·Mar 13, 2026·archived copy
- More than 900 children have been held in ICE custody past the 20-day limit
independent.co.uk·Mar 13, 2026·archived copy
- Hundreds of children in Texas ICE detention held beyond 20‑day federal court limit, data shows
nbclosangeles.com·Mar 13, 2026·archived copy
- ‘This place broke something in us': Kids languish in ICE detention long past 20-day limit
nbcconnecticut.com·Mar 13, 2026·archived copy
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