Over 5,600 people, including infants as young as two months old, have been held at the Dilley, Texas, family detention center since April 2025, according to a new human rights report. The facility, the largest of its kind in the U.S., has sparked outrage over its treatment of migrant families seeking asylum.
Advocates describe the conditions as “prison-like,” with children facing prolonged confinement and limited access to medical care. The report highlights a 1-year-old child who developed respiratory issues after weeks in detention, raising concerns about long-term health impacts on minors.
While U.S. authorities state the center operates “in compliance with federal standards,” activists argue the practice of detaining families conflicts with international human rights norms. The debate comes amid increased migration flows to the southern U.S. border this year.
