Surge in Family Detentions Raises Concerns Over Treatment of Minors

Advocates say the Trump administration is increasingly ensnaring young children in its immigration enforcement efforts, despite legal protections.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 10:47pm

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The Trump administration has dramatically increased the number of families, including young children, being detained in immigration facilities. Data shows the average number of people held in family detention has nearly tripled in recent months, with at least 3,800 minors detained in 2025. Lawyers and advocates say the conditions in these facilities are inadequate and traumatic for children, who are often separated from their parents and held for longer than the legal limit. The administration has prioritized deportation goals over child welfare protections, according to critics.

Why it matters

The surge in family detentions raises concerns about the treatment of vulnerable minors and the erosion of legal safeguards meant to protect children in immigration custody. Advocates argue the administration is using detention as a punitive measure to deter immigration, rather than focusing on the wellbeing of families.

The details

Immigration authorities have been detaining increasing numbers of families, including young children, in facilities like the South Texas Family Detention Center in Dilley, Texas. Detainees have reported inadequate medical care, long waits for basic supplies, and pressure to sign deportation papers. Children have been held beyond the legal 20-day limit, and some have been separated from their parents. The administration has moved to expand family detention capacity, even as the Biden administration had previously closed some facilities.

  • In October 2025, the average number of people held in family detention was 425.
  • By January 2026, the average number had nearly tripled to 1,304.

The players

Liam Conejo Ramos

A 5-year-old boy who was detained by immigration officers in Minneapolis while returning from preschool and held at the Dilley, Texas detention facility.

Chloe Renata Tipan Villacis

A 2-year-old girl who was detained by immigration officers in Minneapolis after her family's car window was broken, and held at the Dilley, Texas detention facility.

Dianne Garcia

A pastor at a San Antonio church that serves an immigrant population, who says authorities are trying to instill fear in families so they choose to leave the country voluntarily.

Judge Fred Biery

A U.S. District Judge who ordered the release of Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, and criticized the Trump administration's "ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatizing children."

Joaquin Castro

A U.S. Representative who traveled with Liam Conejo Ramos and his father from Texas to Minnesota after their release.

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What they’re saying

“There are other options, regardless of what you believe about immigrants, but you do not have to put children in detention.”

— Dianne Garcia, Pastor

“In this past year, we've seen a lot of [the protections] dismantled and transformed again into a system that's really more punitive and aligned with law enforcement goals than it is with child protection.”

— Wendy Young, President of Kids in Need of Defense

“What is happening in these detention centers is worse than anybody thinks.”

— Eric Lee, Attorney

What’s next

The judge in the case of Liam Conejo Ramos will decide on Tuesday whether to allow him to remain released on bail.

The takeaway

This surge in family detentions highlights the Trump administration's prioritization of deportation goals over the wellbeing of vulnerable children, raising serious concerns about the erosion of legal protections and the traumatic impact on minors held in these facilities.