- 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
Calls Grow to Shut Down Dilley ICE Detention Center After Measles Outbreak
Local leaders demand immediate closure citing safety and medical response concerns
Published on Feb. 3, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
Local leaders in Texas are calling for the immediate closure of the Dilley Immigration Detention Center after two confirmed measles cases were reported at the facility over the weekend. Concerns have been raised about the center's lack of medical preparedness, delayed response, and overcrowded conditions, which are seen as ill-equipped to manage a measles outbreak. Calls for the detainees who have not been diagnosed to be moved for their safety and for Texas medical officials, not federal immigration authorities, to oversee care.
Why it matters
The measles outbreak at the Dilley ICE detention center highlights ongoing concerns about the safety and medical care provided to detainees, as well as the broader debate around the role and conditions of immigration detention facilities in the United States.
The details
Two confirmed measles cases were reported at the Dilley Immigration Detention Center over the weekend. In response, Congressman Joaquin Castro and State Representative Josey Garcia have called for the immediate closure of the facility, citing a lack of medical preparedness, delayed response, and overcrowded conditions that they say are ill-equipped to manage a measles outbreak. They have also raised concerns about the safety of the detainees, as well as the Texas National Guard members stationed at the facility.
- The measles cases were reported at the Dilley ICE detention center over the weekend of February 1-2, 2026.
- Congressman Joaquin Castro and State Representative Josey Garcia called for the facility's closure on Monday, February 3, 2026.
The players
Joaquin Castro
A U.S. Congressman representing Texas's 20th congressional district.
Josey Garcia
A Texas state representative.
Department of Homeland Security
The federal agency that oversees immigration enforcement, including the Dilley ICE detention center.
What they’re saying
“The facility is not equipped to manage an outbreak, pointing to what he described as a lack of medical preparedness, delayed response, and overcrowded conditions.”
— Joaquin Castro, U.S. Congressman (kens5.com)
“The people held inside deserve better treatment, particularly since they have not committed crimes.”
— Josey Garcia, Texas State Representative (kens5.com)
What’s next
The Department of Homeland Security has stated that all detainees are being monitored and that officials are taking 'appropriate and active steps' to prevent further infections. However, the calls for the immediate closure of the Dilley ICE detention center are likely to continue until the measles outbreak is contained and concerns about the facility's ability to provide adequate medical care are addressed.
The takeaway
The measles outbreak at the Dilley ICE detention center underscores the ongoing debate around the safety and medical care provided to detainees in immigration detention facilities. This incident highlights the need for greater oversight and accountability to ensure the wellbeing of those held in these facilities, regardless of their immigration status.
