Advocates caravan to protest conditions at Dilley detention center

Chriselda Vera and the Blue Bunny Brigade lead a caravan from the Rio Grande Valley to the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas

Apr. 20, 2026 at 10:26am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cinematic painting depicting a migrant family sitting on a bench outside a government building, the warm light and deep shadows creating a contemplative, melancholy mood that captures the emotional weight of the protest against the Dilley detention center.The somber mood of the Dilley detention center protest reflects the ongoing trauma experienced by migrant families held in such facilities.Edinburg Today

A group of advocates, including the Blue Bunny Brigade led by Chriselda Vera, organized a caravan from the Rio Grande Valley to the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, to protest the conditions at the migrant detention facility. The caravan included participants from across Texas as well as some activists who flew in from other states. The protest was expected to draw around 400 people.

Why it matters

The Dilley detention center, run by the for-profit company CoreCivic, has long been criticized for its treatment of migrant women and children. This protest is part of a growing movement to raise awareness about the conditions at such facilities and call for an end to the detention of families.

The details

Chriselda Vera, a mother from Edinburg, Texas, formed the Blue Bunny Brigade in response to the arrest of a 5-year-old boy named Liam Conejo Ramos and his father by ICE agents in Minnesota. Liam and his father were sent to the Dilley detention center, which prompted Vera to organize the caravan to protest the facility. The caravan included participants from across Texas, as well as some activists who flew in from Florida and New York. The protesters planned to wear blue knit hats and bandanas in honor of Liam, and Democratic congressional candidate Bobby Pulido bought 400 hot dogs to feed the demonstrators.

  • The caravan departed from Edinburg, Texas, on the morning of April 18, 2026.
  • The protest at the Dilley detention center was scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2026.

The players

Chriselda Vera

A mother from Edinburg, Texas, who formed the Blue Bunny Brigade to protest the detention of migrants, especially families, at the Dilley facility.

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old boy who was arrested with his father by ICE agents in Minnesota and sent to the Dilley detention center, inspiring the formation of the Blue Bunny Brigade.

Bobby Pulido

A Democratic congressional candidate running for Texas' 15th Congressional District who bought 400 hot dogs to feed the protesters at the Dilley demonstration.

Gina Hinojosa

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Texas, whose father is from the Rio Grande Valley, was scheduled to be a keynote speaker at the protest.

Rev. Ali Lopez-Valcarcel

A minister with the United Church of Christ Rio Grande Valley in Brownsville, Texas, who often ministers to migrants on both sides of the border.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We show up to protest. We wear our blue hats. We wear our blue bunny hat in honor of Liam because Liam represents so many children that are going through this. And when you look at that hat, how do you not feel something as a human being? He has endured so much trauma because of the impacts of these policies that have really harmed our community.”

— Chriselda Vera, Founder, Blue Bunny Brigade

“Somebody needs to do something about these injustices that are taking place all around the country.”

— Juan Martinez, Member, Carnalismo Brown Berets of the Rio Grande Valley

“No family deserves to be in a jail.”

— Rev. Ali Lopez-Valcarcel, United Church of Christ Rio Grande Valley

What’s next

The judge overseeing the Dilley detention center case will hold a hearing on April 25, 2026 to consider potential reforms or changes to the facility's operations.

The takeaway

This protest highlights the growing grassroots movement to end the detention of migrant families and improve conditions at facilities like the Dilley center. The diverse coalition of advocates, from local organizers to national activists, reflects the widespread concern over the human rights issues at these detention centers.