Reps. Castro, Barragán, Stanton Inspect Dilley Trailer Prison, Met with Children and Families

Reps. Castro, Barragán, Stanton Inspect Dilley Trailer Prison, Met with Children and Families

DILLEY, TX - Yesterday, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), led Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) and Congressman Greg Stanton (AZ-04) on his 6^th congressional oversight visit to the Dilley detention center in Southwest Texas this year. During the inspection, ICE outlined the process for collecting DNA samples from detainees upon arrival but could not confirm proper protocols were in place to keep biometric information secure. Then, the members met with mothers, children, and fathers who shared experiences of poor food quality, difficult sleeping conditions, and lack of adequate schooling and medical care. When Congressman Castro visited Dilley in January, there were over 1,100 people in the facility. Yesterday, there were 345 people, including 66 families and 97 children.

Reps. Castro, Barragán, Stanton report conditions at Dilley. Watch the video here.

"For ICE, cruelty is the point," said Congressman Castro. "Right now, there are three kids under the age of three locked up at the Dilley trailer prison, and ICE is making it harder for members of Congress to conduct oversight and hear directly from families. ICE is becoming more secretive and restrictive. Thanks to all who continue to speak out against this secrecy and inhumanity. I will continue to push to shut down Dilley and free our children."

"Why are young children being locked up at the Dilley Detention Center and rules being put in place to make it harder and harder for families to speak with Members of Congress?" said Congresswoman Barragán. "Our immigrant families should not be treated in this way. The Trump administration and ICE have not focused their enforcement on serious criminals. Instead, they've harassed and locked up families who have contributed to our country for years and played by the rules once they are here. We will continue to shine a light on the mistreatment of immigrants by this Administration, advocate for their release, and hold the Administration accountable through these Congressional oversight visits. Americans need to know what is happening."

"We spoke to the children, parents, and spouses being swept up into Trump's mass deportation machine - mothers separated from their American-born children, business owners imprisoned for months, and families left in deportation limbo after decades here with no criminal record. On-the-ground oversight of ICE facilities has never been more urgent, and we're going to keep showing up," said Congressman Stanton.

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