Dilley Family Detention Center: Plunge in Detentions Follows Children’s Letters & Protests

Dramatic Drop in Family Detentions at Dilley Facility Sparks Questions

The number of families being held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas has plummeted in recent weeks, falling by more than 75% in February compared to the previous month, according to data obtained by ProPublica. Between April 2025 and January 2026, an average of around 600 people – parents and their children – were booked into the facility each month. However, February saw a sharp decline to just 133 “book-ins,” and that number further decreased to 54 by mid-March.

Currently, the facility holds approximately 100 people, a significant drop from the average daily population of over 900 in January. This dramatic shift raises questions about the Trump administration’s immigration policies and the factors driving the change. The decline comes after a period of increased scrutiny and public outcry over conditions inside the detention center, particularly regarding the impact on children.

Mounting Pressure and Children’s Voices

The decrease in family detentions appears to coincide with growing public pressure fueled by the release of letters written by children detained at Dilley. ProPublica published several of these letters on February 9, 2026, after visiting the facility in mid-January. The letters detailed the children’s experiences and expressed their despair at being separated from their homes and schools. These accounts quickly gained traction, being raised in congressional hearings and shared widely on social media, including a viral photograph of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos wearing a bunny hat during his detention.

Lawmakers, including Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democrat from Texas, have been vocal in their opposition to the Dilley facility and have called for alternatives to family detention. Castro stated that the facility is “no place for children” and expressed hope that the declining numbers indicate a shift in policy.

Restrictions and Allegations of Retaliation

Following the increased attention, detainees and attorneys reported that guards at Dilley began restricting access to items like crayons, colored pencils, and drawing paper during room searches. Access to video calls in common areas was reportedly cut off this month.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that restrictions on video calls were implemented after recordings of calls were livestreamed online, allegedly revealing “law enforcement sensitive information.” DHS maintains that video calls are still available in private rooms, along with in-person visitation and phone access. CoreCivic, the private prison company operating the facility, denied allegations of confiscating or destroying children’s personal artwork or supplies.

The Flores Settlement and Legal Challenges

The situation at Dilley is further complicated by the Flores settlement, a long-standing legal agreement that generally prohibits the detention of children for more than 20 days. However, data obtained by ProPublica shows that the average length of stay in family detention at Dilley exceeded 50 days each month between November and February.

DHS has previously argued that the Flores agreement is outdated and should be terminated, advocating for newer regulations that it claims better address the needs of children in detention. This stance has faced significant opposition from advocates who argue that any detention of children is harmful.

Individual Stories and the Human Cost

The impact of family detention is vividly illustrated by individual stories. One case highlighted by ProPublica involves Hayam El Gamal and her five children, who have been detained at Dilley for nine months. The family was taken into custody after the father was charged in connection with an alleged antisemitic attack in Colorado. The family maintains they were unaware of his plans.

Another recent release involved a 13-year-old Guatemalan boy named Edison, who was reunited with his father in Chicago after 92 days in detention. His father expressed confusion about the release but relief at being reunited with his son. The family celebrated with a seafood dinner, one of Edison’s favorites.

What Happens Next?

While the recent decline in family detentions at Dilley is a significant development, the future remains uncertain. The Department of Homeland Security maintains that custody decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and are not influenced by public opinion. However, the mounting pressure from lawmakers, advocates, and the public, coupled with the attention drawn to the experiences of children in detention, may continue to shape the administration’s policies.

It remains unclear whether this decrease represents a temporary shift or a more permanent change in approach to family immigration detention. The administration has not announced any specific plans to close the Dilley facility or implement alternative strategies for processing families seeking asylum or immigration relief.

The situation at Dilley underscores the complex challenges surrounding immigration policy and the human cost of detention, particularly for vulnerable populations like children. The ongoing debate over the Flores settlement and the appropriate treatment of families seeking refuge in the United States is likely to continue as policymakers grapple with these difficult issues.

[1] Trump administration is holding children in immigration detention for … (via duckduckgo): https://apnews.com/article/children-immigration-detention-dilley-trump-administration-ice-8ab12c9357ff3b8d400cfa2b2dbe85ed [2] ICE Released Hundreds of Children from Immigration Detention (via duckduckgo): https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/20/us/children-ice-detention-decrease.html [3] ICE Has Abruptly Deported Thousands of Kids. Their Families Say It … (via duckduckgo): https://www.themarshallproject.org/2026/03/18/ice-children-deportation-detention-trump