- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
ICE Halts Movement at Texas Detention Facility Due to Measles Outbreak
Measles resurgence in immigration detention centers raises concerns about public health crisis
Feb. 1, 2026 at 9:31pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A measles outbreak at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas has prompted U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to halt all movement at the facility and implement quarantine measures. This incident is not isolated, as immigration detention centers have become breeding grounds for infectious diseases like measles, influenza, and tuberculosis due to overcrowding and inadequate resources.
Why it matters
The surge in measles cases across the U.S., including a significant outbreak in West Texas resulting in two deaths and 99 hospitalizations, underscores the severity of the public health risk posed by infectious diseases in immigration detention facilities. With the detention population now exceeding 70,000 individuals, a dramatic rise from 40,000 a year ago, the problem is exacerbated, as more people confined in close quarters leads to faster disease transmission.
The details
The Department of Homeland Security has responded by quarantining suspected contacts and providing medical care, but addressing the root causes requires a broader, more proactive strategy. This includes robust vaccination programs for all detainees upon entry, regular health screenings, and improved sanitation standards within facilities. However, logistical challenges and limited funding often hinder these efforts. Immigration lawyers have also raised concerns about restricting access for lawmakers and attorneys under the guise of outbreak control, which can impede oversight and accountability.
- The recent measles outbreak at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas occurred in February 2026.
- The 2025 surge in measles cases across the U.S. resulted in over 2,200 reported cases, including a significant outbreak in West Texas that led to two deaths and 99 hospitalizations.
The players
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
The federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and managing immigration detention facilities.
Dilley Immigration Processing Center
An immigration detention facility located in Dilley, Texas that houses families facing immigration violations.
Neha Desai
An immigration lawyer at the National Center for Youth Law who has raised concerns about restricting access to immigration detention facilities.
Liam Conejo Ramos
A detainee at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center who was held with his father.
Texas Department of State Health Services
The state agency that provided data on the significant impact of the 2025 West Texas measles outbreak on the local healthcare system.
What they’re saying
“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”
— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.
The takeaway
This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.
