Hollywood Stars Demand Closure of Dilley Detention Center

Jodie Foster, Spike Lee, and others join petition calling for end to family immigration detention.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:52am

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A solitary child's backpack or toy sits alone in a sparse, dimly lit room, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying the emotional isolation and trauma experienced by children in immigration detention centers.A poignant visual metaphor for the plight of children trapped in the inhumane conditions of immigration detention centers, evoking a sense of profound sadness and a call for systemic change.Minneapolis Today

A group of prominent Hollywood celebrities, including Jodie Foster, Ben Stiller, Edward Norton, Olivia Munn, Janelle Monáe, Lucy Dacus, Spike Lee, and Megan Rapinoe, have signed a petition demanding the immediate closure of the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas. The petition, which has garnered over 215,000 signatures, highlights the inhumane conditions and treatment of detainees, especially children, at the facility.

Why it matters

The Dilley facility has faced intense scrutiny for its prison-like conditions, including denial of clean water, rotten food, medical neglect, and the separation of children from their families. The high-profile support from Hollywood's elite adds weight to the call for systemic change and accountability within the broader immigration detention system.

The details

The petition cites court filings that detail the widespread abuse and mistreatment of detainees at the Dilley facility, including denial of clean water, rotten food contaminated with worms, dangerous medical neglect, sleep deprivation, and the separation of children from their families. The petition argues that children should be in schools and playgrounds, not in detention centers, emphasizing the long-term impact of such experiences on their well-being.

  • The petition was launched in April 2026.

The players

Jodie Foster

An acclaimed American actress, director, and producer who has lent her voice to the petition demanding the closure of the Dilley Detention Center.

Spike Lee

An acclaimed American filmmaker, producer, screenwriter, and actor who has signed the petition calling for the closure of the Dilley Detention Center.

Dilley Immigration Processing Center

A detention facility in Texas that has been the focus of intense scrutiny for its inhumane conditions and treatment of detainees, especially children.

CoreCivic

The private prison operator that runs the Dilley Immigration Processing Center.

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old boy who was arrested with his father in Minneapolis and sent to the Dilley Detention Center, sparking public outrage and bringing attention to the harsh realities of ICE raids and family detention.

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The takeaway

This high-profile support from Hollywood's elite sends a powerful message to policymakers and the public, underscoring the urgency of addressing the inhumane conditions within immigration detention centers and the need for systemic change and accountability within the broader immigration detention system.