The number of parents and children arriving at the Dilley, Texas, immigrant family detention center has decreased sharply. In February, arrivals plummeted by more than 75% compared to the previous month, according to data obtained by ProPublica from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Declining Numbers at Dilley
Between April 2025 and January of this year, approximately 600 people were booked into the facility each month. That number fell to 133 in February and further decreased to 54 as of mid-March. This week, the facility held around 100 people, compared to an average of over 900 in January.
Current and former ICE officials, as well as lawyers representing clients at Dilley, have stated they cannot explain the reason for the decline. However, the shift followed increased public attention sparked by the publication of letters written by children detained at the facility, detailing their experiences and feelings of despair.
ProPublica published these letters on February 9, after a visit to the facility—located about an hour south of San Antonio—in mid-January. The letters generated outrage, appearing in congressional hearings and at anti-ICE demonstrations.
During a congressional hearing on February 10, Rep. James Walkinshaw, a Democrat from Virginia, read a letter and displayed a drawing by a 5-year-old Venezuelan girl, Luisanney Toloza. He noted the expressions on the family’s faces in the drawing, stating, “None of the faces are smiling.”
Public attention was initially drawn to children at Dilley by a photograph of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, taken upon his detention in Minnesota on January 20, showing him wearing a blue bunny hat. Detainees subsequently organized a protest, captured in an aerial photograph and widely shared on social media.
Nearly 4,000 doctors, nurses, and health professionals sent a letter to the Trump administration calling for the release of all children in immigration detention. Social media personality Rachel Accurso, known as Ms. Rachel, similarly posted a video conversation with a child detained at Dilley to her 4.9 million Instagram followers.
Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democrat from Texas, stated, “That trailer prison is no place for children, and I’m glad to hear that the numbers continue to decline,” adding, “It’s a reminder that people can make a difference by speaking up.”
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, stated that custody decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and are not based on public opinion. CoreCivic, the private prison company operating the facility, said it has no say in deportation or release decisions.
Following the protests and publication of the children’s letters, detainees and attorneys reported that guards removed crayons, colored pencils, and drawing paper during room searches. Access to video calls in common areas was also cut off this week.
The Trump administration stated that confiscated items were “limited to materials identified as protest-related and not authorized under facility rules.” CoreCivic denied confiscating or destroying children’s artwork. DHS said video call restrictions were implemented due to the livestreaming of recorded calls and dissemination of sensitive law enforcement information, but private video calls and in-person visitation remain available.
While the Flores agreement generally limits child detention to 20 days, data showed that the average stay at Dilley exceeded 50 days each month between November and February. DHS has argued that the Flores agreement is outdated.
One Egyptian family, Hayam El Gamal and her five children, has been detained at Dilley for nine months following the arrest of the father in connection with an alleged antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado. DHS is still investigating.
A 13-year-old Guatemalan boy, Edison, was released from Dilley with his mother this week after 92 days in detention. His father reported that they were released unexpectedly and were able to enjoy a seafood dinner upon arriving in Chicago.
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the decline in the number of families detained at Dilley?
While ICE officials have not provided a specific explanation, the decline followed weeks of mounting public pressure generated by the publication of letters written by children detained at the facility.
What is the Flores agreement?
The Flores agreement is a long-standing legal settlement that generally holds that children should not be detained for more than 20 days.
What has been the response from the Trump administration regarding the situation at Dilley?
The Department of Homeland Security stated that custody decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and are not based on public opinion. The administration has also argued that the Flores agreement is outdated.
What impact will these changes have on immigration policy moving forward?
