On January 23, 2026, a group of immigrant families gathered in protest at the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, shedding light on the troubling conditions they faced within the facility. This protest, which drew national attention, involved dozens of parents and children, including a poignant scene with a 5-year-old boy detained alongside his father. The participants raised their voices in opposition to the living conditions they were enduring, which reportedly included inadequate healthcare services, substandard food quality, and general neglect.
The protesters, many of whom had been detained for extended periods, chanted for dignity, freedom, and justice. Their cries were a direct call for the U.S. government to address the inhumane treatment of those being held in detention, particularly vulnerable families seeking refuge in the United States. These families, who had been separated from their communities and their homes, now found themselves in an environment where basic needs were not being met.
In addition to highlighting poor living conditions, the protesters emphasized the broader issues faced by immigrant families within the detention system. Advocates for immigrant rights, who joined the demonstration, argued that the prolonged detention of families—often lasting months or even years—was a direct violation of human rights and international norms. They raised concerns about the psychological toll that such prolonged confinement had on children, many of whom were suffering from trauma as a result of both their journey to the U.S. and their time spent in detention.
The protesters’ actions were also aimed at calling for reform within the broader U.S. immigration system, which has long been criticized for its harsh treatment of migrants, particularly families. While protests like this one focused on the South Texas Family Residential Center, the issues raised are part of a much larger, ongoing conversation about the treatment of migrants throughout the country. Advocates have been calling for a shift toward a more humane immigration system, where families can undergo legal processes outside of detention, with access to healthcare, nutritious food, and basic dignity.
At the time of the protest, the Department of Homeland Security had not issued any comments regarding the claims being made by the families and advocates. Despite this, local immigrant rights groups and national organizations continued to press for changes to the way families are treated while in detention. These groups argue that reforms are necessary to ensure that immigrant families are not only treated with respect but also that their legal rights are upheld, particularly in cases involving children.
The protest at the Dilley detention center served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by migrant families, and it has intensified calls for changes to the U.S. immigration detention system. As the movement to reform immigration enforcement continues to grow, the focus remains on ensuring that families who come to the U.S. seeking safety and a better life are treated with humanity and dignity, rather than being subjected to the harsh conditions of a broken system.
