Dilley Detention Center Accused of Violating Migrant Child Agreement

Reports indicate over 3,500 individuals, more than half children, are currently held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas is once again at the center of a heated debate regarding the detention of migrant families. Recent reports from ProPublica indicate that over 3,500 individuals, more than half of whom are children, are currently held within its walls. This resurgence in family detention raises critical questions about compliance with the Flores Agreement and the well-being of those seeking asylum.

Why it matters

The Flores Agreement sets minimum standards for the treatment of migrant children in U.S. custody, including limitations on detention time. The Department of Homeland Security is actively seeking to terminate the agreement, arguing it is outdated. The reopening of the Dilley center during the previous administration reflects a significant policy change and a renewed focus on border enforcement.

The details

ProPublica's analysis reveals that approximately 300 minors sent to Dilley under the current administration have been held for over a month, potentially violating the terms of the Flores Agreement. Reports and personal accounts detail the emotional and psychological toll on children, who have voiced concerns about the quality of food, lack of adequate medical care, and alleged mistreatment by staff.

  • The Dilley center was closed for several years during the Biden administration (2021-2025) but was reopened in March of the previous year.
  • A recent congressional hearing featured testimony from officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The players

Flores Agreement

A 1997 agreement setting minimum standards for the treatment of migrant children in U.S. custody, including limitations on detention time.

Department of Homeland Security

The government agency actively seeking to terminate the Flores Agreement, arguing it is outdated.

Congressman James Walkinshaw

A member of Congress who read excerpts from children's letters during a recent congressional hearing, stating, 'No child… should be used as a pawn in the perverse and twisted agenda.'

CoreCivic

A private company contracted by the government to operate the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, raising questions about accountability and the potential for profit motives to influence the treatment of detainees.

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old boy detained with his father, Adrián Conejo Arias, after being apprehended in Minneapolis, whose case has garnered attention from both sides of the political spectrum.

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What they’re saying

“No child… should be used as a pawn in the perverse and twisted agenda.”

— Congressman James Walkinshaw (Congressional hearing)

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

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.