911 Calls Reveal Medical Emergencies at ICE Detention Center

Advocates say calls underscore concerns about conditions at South Texas Family Residential Center

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Emergency calls obtained by ABC News from the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas reveal a series of medical emergencies involving pregnant women and young children, including cases of seizures, respiratory distress, and high fevers. Immigrant advocates and medical professionals have raised concerns about the quality of care and conditions at the ICE detention facility.

Why it matters

The 911 calls shed light on the medical issues faced by detainees at the South Texas Family Residential Center, which has been the subject of ongoing concerns from advocates about the treatment of migrants, especially pregnant women and children, at the facility. The calls appear to contradict claims by the Department of Homeland Security that the center provides proper medical care for all detainees.

The details

The 911 calls, dating from October 2025 through February 2026, document medical staff requesting ambulances for migrant detainees experiencing seizures, fainting, respiratory distress, high fevers, and other medical emergencies. In one call, a staff member requested assistance for a 17-month-old child 'going through respiratory distress.' Other calls describe a 6-year-old boy with lethargy and a high fever, a 14-month-old in respiratory distress, and a 22-month-old with a fever and low oxygen levels. The calls also detail emergencies involving pregnant detainees, including a woman experiencing a seizure and another who had lost consciousness.

  • The 911 calls obtained by ABC News are from October 2025 through February 2026.
  • Last month, there were about 1,400 people being held at the Dilley facility, including children and parents.

The players

South Texas Family Residential Center

An ICE detention facility located in Dilley, Texas that has faced ongoing concerns from advocates about the treatment of migrants, especially pregnant women and children, at the facility.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro

A U.S. Representative who recently visited the Dilley detention center and raised concerns about the conditions, including the case of a 2-month-old infant.

Dr. Anita Patel

A board-certified pediatrician who recently sent a letter to the DHS Secretary calling for the release of all children at the Dilley facility, stating that detained families 'are not receiving the standard of care.'

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The government agency that operates the nation's migrant detention centers, including the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley. DHS has disputed allegations made by detained families and advocates about the Dilley facility.

RAICES

An immigrant legal advocacy group that reported there were about 1,400 people being held at the Dilley facility as of last month, including children and parents.

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What they’re saying

“What is clearly evident is they have no ability to recognize potentially lethal or emergent situations, and they have no clinical acumen to say when something is a medical emergency.”

— Dr. Anita Patel, Board-certified pediatrician (ABC News)

“What I am hearing from families and what we are witnessing is a human rights catastrophe. They don't have access to medical care, they don't have access to appropriate nutrition; all of these standard humanitarian policies stated by the U.N. all the way down to laws are not being followed.”

— Dr. Anita Patel, Board-certified pediatrician (ABC News)

“The truth is this facility provided proper medical care for all detainees including access to a pediatrician. The fact is being in detention is a choice. We encourage all parents to take control of their departure by using the CBP Home app and receiving a free flight home and $2,600.”

— Lauren Bis, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Department of Homeland Security (ABC News)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security has disputed the allegations made by detained families and advocates about the Dilley facility, and it remains to be seen if any further investigations or actions will be taken regarding the concerns raised about the medical care and conditions at the detention center.

The takeaway

The 911 calls from the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley reveal serious medical emergencies involving pregnant women and young children, underscoring the ongoing concerns from advocates about the treatment of migrants, especially vulnerable populations, at ICE detention facilities. The conflicting statements from the Department of Homeland Security and medical professionals highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability regarding the conditions and care provided at these centers.