A coalition of legal groups is demanding the release of mothers and of babies as young as 5 months old from a migrant family jail in rural Texas, expressing “grave concerns about the lack of specialized medical care available in Dilley for this vulnerable population.” Some of the babies detained at the South Texas Family Residential Center, the groups say, have become sick and are losing weight.
“Dilley is located over one hour by car from San Antonio, the nearest major metropolitan center with facilities equipped to provide specialized medical services,” the American Immigration Council, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the Catholic Legal Immigration Network write to the Homeland Security inspector general and officer for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Saying Immigration and Customs Enforcement has “demonstrated an inability” to care for this vulnerable population, the groups say these families should be allowed to pursue their cases outside of this jail.
“Some mothers report to their legal service providers in Dilley that their babies are not feeding well due to sudden changes in formula,” the groups continue. “Child health advocates recommend that to safely switch to a different formula, the process should be gradual and monitored by a pediatrician in order to avoid interruptions to the baby's feeding and digestion. This is virtually impossible from detention.”
Trump administration officials have grotesquely compared migrant family jails to a “summer camp,” but in a number of letters late last year, formerly separated moms detained at Dilley with their kids cried out about their misery. In one instance, mom Gabriela wrote that she wouldn't wish being jailed there “even on my worst enemy." Legal advocates agree. ”We urge your office to intervene immediately on behalf of this uniquely vulnerable population,” they continue, “to demand the release of these families from custody to permit them to continue fighting their cases outside of detention.” Children do not belong in detention, period.
