“I Have Been Here Too Long”: Read Letters from the Children Detained at ICE’s Dilley Facility

ProPublicaCenter-LeftEN 10 min read 100% complete by Mica RosenbergFebruary 9, 2026 at 11:25 AM

AI Summary

long article 10 min

Letters from children detained at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas reveal their experiences and concerns. The facility, which holds families and single adult women, housed over 750 families in early February, nearly half including children. The letters, received by ProPublica in mid-January, describe the children's longing for their former lives, including missing school, friends, and reliable medical care. They express feelings of fear and anxiety about their uncertain futures. The Department of Homeland Security stated that detainees are provided with adequate care, including meals, water, clothing, and access to education. CoreCivic, which operates the facility, emphasizes its commitment to health and safety under multiple layers of oversight.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

ProPublica 40% Houston, Texas 40% CoreCivic 50% South Texas 50% Venezuela ×250% United States 60% Susej F ×260% Trump administration 70% Department of Homeland Security ×370% Immigration and Customs Enforcement 80% Dilley Immigration Processing Center ×490%

Keywords

detained children 90% child detention 90% immigration processing center 80% dilley 80% family separation 70% immigration and customs enforcement 70% letters 60% medical care 60% department of homeland security 50%