Protests Erupt Over Family Detention Practices Amid Rising Immigration Enforcement

On January 28, 2026, hundreds of protesters gathered near the Dilley immigration processing center in South Texas, where numerous children are currently detained. This demonstration was sparked by a video filmed by immigration lawyer Eric Lee, showing detainees chanting “libertad,” or “freedom.” The protests were organized by over 30 local organizations, including the Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry, in response to the growing number of children held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, which has increased sixfold since Donald Trump took office, totaling at least 3,800 children. The case of five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, who was detained while wearing a Spider-Man backpack, has become emblematic of the perceived cruelty of the Trump administration's immigration policies.

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The Dilley facility has faced significant criticism for its conditions, including reports of a measles outbreak, inadequate medical care, and lack of clean drinking water. Representative Joaquin Castro highlighted that detainees, including Ramos, were not receiving adequate nutrition. Critics argue that these conditions violate a 1997 legal settlement that mandates protections for children in detention, including a 20-day limit on custody. Activists, including Trudy Taylor Smith from the Children’s Defense Fund, assert that current legal protections are insufficient and are calling for Congress to outlaw family detention entirely.

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Activists are not only focused on the Dilley center but are also campaigning against the construction of new detention facilities. Documents have revealed ICE's plan to invest $38 billion in new detention centers across the country. Recent legislative efforts include a New Mexico bill banning ICE detention centers and Illinois imposing strict limits on private facilities. Public sentiment appears to be shifting, with a recent poll indicating that 65% of respondents believe ICE's actions have gone too far, up from 54% the previous year.

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Many activists are advocating for the complete abolition of family detention and the broader prison industrial complex. Rev. Erin Walter noted that this moment represents a moral urgency for change. The Unitarian Universalist denomination has adopted abolition as a core focus, reflecting a growing movement against the systemic issues surrounding detention practices. Activists argue that the current situation is a form of state-sponsored child abuse, with long-lasting psychological impacts on detainees, particularly children.

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CoreCivic, the company operating the Dilley facility, has denied allegations regarding inadequate healthcare and access to clean water, asserting that the health and safety of detainees is their top priority. However, ICE did not respond to requests for comment regarding the protests or conditions at the facility.

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• “There’s just no acceptable time for a child to be in detention.” — Amerika Garcia Grewal, Organizer

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• “The horror that we are seeing right now is happening on such a shocking scale. There’s no better way to describe it than state-sponsored child abuse,” — Trudy Taylor Smith, Children’s Defense Fund

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• “’” “What we are putting these families through is going to affect the entire planet for generations to come.” — Rev. Erin Walter, Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry

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• “If we can get two people free, we can get everybody free,” — Trudy Taylor Smith, Children’s Defense Fund

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While many sources highlight the inhumane conditions at the Dilley facility, there is a lack of comprehensive data on the overall health and safety standards across all ICE detention centers. Additionally, discrepancies exist regarding the effectiveness of current legal protections for detained children, with some advocates arguing they are inadequate while others maintain they are being followed.

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This ongoing situation reflects a significant conflict in U.S. immigration policy and enforcement, with protests and advocacy efforts aiming to bring about substantial change.

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