South Texas family detention center faces health crises, conditions scrutiny
Feb 27, 2026·Location: Dilley, TX

The South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, operated by CoreCivic, faced multiple documented problems affecting detained immigrant families and children. Emergency responders handled at least 11 medical emergencies since September 2025, including respiratory distress, seizures, and fever in infants and young children. Detainees reported finding worms, bugs, and mold in food, contaminated drinking water, and inadequate nutrition, leading to a confirmed measles outbreak in early 2026. Children experienced inadequate medical care, 24-hour lighting, and some were detained beyond the 20-day legal limit. A 13-year-old girl denied prescribed anxiety medications experienced a mental health crisis and attempted suicide before deportation. Following media coverage and a January protest, facility staff increased confiscation of art supplies, drawings, and personal items from detainees, and restricted communications with family and lawyers through Google services and video calls. A federal judge ruled some detentions unconstitutional, and medical advocates and congressional representatives called for facility closure.
Timeline
Sources
- 911 calls capture kids burning with fever, struggling to breathe at ICE detention center
NBC News·Feb 27, 2026·archived copy
- TIME
- Seized Art, Eavesdropping Guards: Parents Describe a Clampdown at Dilley Detention Center as Kids Shared Their Stories
ProPublica·Feb 26, 2026·archived copy
propub.li·Feb 26, 2026·archived copy
- Arte confiscado, guardias escuchando: padres describen medidas para reprimir las historias de los niños en el centro de detención de Dilley
ProPublica·Mar 4, 2026·archived copy
- imprintnews.org
- Exclusive audio reveals 911 calls for children in distress at Dilley detention center
news4sanantonio.com·Feb 28, 2026·archived copy
- Seized art, eavesdropping guards: Parents describe a clampdown at Dilley Detention Center as kids shared their stories - Southwest Voices
southwestvoices.news·Feb 27, 2026·archived copy
- Worms in food, poor medical care, lights on 24/7: Families tell of life in Texas detention center
upgrade.newsday.com·Feb 28, 2026·archived copy
sandiegouniontribune.com·Mar 2, 2026·archived copy
dtnpf.com·Mar 2, 2026·archived copy
Yahoo News·Feb 28, 2026·archived copy
columbian.com·Mar 1, 2026·archived copy
- Worms in food, poor medical care, lights on 24/7: Families tell of life in Texas detention center - WYSL NewsPower 1040
wysl1040.com·Feb 28, 2026·archived copy
- ProPublica: Seized Art, Eavesdropping Guards: Parents Describe a Clampdown at Dilley ICE Detention Center as Kids Shared Their Stories
- ekhbary.com
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