Dilley Family Detention Center: Health, Nutrition, and Legal Challenges

In February 2026, Jagdish Jagwal, his wife Gurwinder, and children Manpreet (11) and Guri (12) were taken into custody at the Dilley immigration processing center in Texas. Dilley, opened in 2014, was closed in 2018 after President Biden halted family detention and reopened after former President Trump reinstated it. The center operates under a DHS contract.

The Guardian

The family comprises Jagdish, Gurwinder, Manpreet and Guri. DHS oversees Dilley, operated by CoreCivic. Raíces and Human Rights First have documented conditions. Since reopening, 5,200 parents and children have been detained; child numbers fell from 450 in January to about 80 in March, and a February quarantine followed detection of two measles cases.

The Guardian

Manpreet lost six pounds and suffers vomiting she attributes to tap water; a nine-month-old lost eight pounds and a child suffered hearing loss from an ear infection. Gurwinder’s arthritis worsened; ibuprofen and steroids were provided, worsening her diabetes. The library holds few English books, and the sole class serves Spanish-speaking students, leaving Manpreet unable to attend; vegetarian meals for the family’s Sikh-Hindu practice are unavailable, causing hunger.

The Guardian

DHS official Lauren Bis said Dilley “generally provides three meals a day, as well as access to education and healthcare” and reported no measles cases; CoreCivic director Ryan Gustin said “continually evaluates our practices to ensure that families in our care receive safe, appropriate, and timely medical attention,” and declined comment on individual cases.

The Guardian

Raíces and Human Rights First reported “widespread due process violations, inhumane conditions, and lasting physical and psychological harm.” Detainees describe children regressing, teenagers self-harm, and anxiety from guard behavior. Celebrities Madonna, Pedro Pascal and educator Ms Rachel have joined protests demanding an end to family detention. Gurwinder described the experience as her life force being drained. Guri expressed fear of “going crazy” and a longing to leave the facility.

The Guardian

DHS says no measles cases, yet a quarantine followed measles detections. The agency claims meals are provided, but families lack vegetarian options. DHS asserts educational access, while detainees report insufficient English materials and limited classes.

The Guardian

• “In that moment, it was like my life force was sucked out of me,” — Gurwinder, mother

The Guardian

• “I worry I came here to save myself, and I ended up ruining three lives,” — Jagdish, father

The Guardian

• “continually evaluates our practices to ensure that families in our care receive safe, appropriate, and timely medical attention” — Ryan Gustin, CoreCivic

The Guardian

• “Bis did write that the agency generally provides three meals a day, as well as access to education and healthcare.” — Lauren Bis, DHS

The Guardian

The family’s lawsuit continues, and advocacy groups plan additional legal actions and public demonstrations. Lawmakers are reviewing DHS contracts with CoreCivic as the debate over family detention intensifies.

The Guardian