Reps. Castro and Casar Say Dilley Detention Center Operating with More Secrecy

Congressmen describe new leadership imposing scripts, limiting staff communication after visit to family detention facility.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:55pm

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A heavily textured, fragmented painting of a metal gate or barred window, with overlapping geometric shapes in shades of grey, blue, and green, conceptually representing the opaque and restricted access at the Dilley detention facility.The increased secrecy and lack of transparency at the Dilley detention center raises concerns about the treatment of immigrant families and children held there.San Antonio Today

U.S. Reps. Joaquin Castro and Greg Casar say the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas is operating with increased secrecy under new Department of Homeland Security leadership. After their visit, the congressmen described staff being required to read from 'scripts of propaganda' and being prohibited from answering questions directly, with inquiries instead needing to be submitted in writing to DHS officials in Washington D.C. They also reported the facility's population has risen back up to 339 individuals, including 77 children, after a sharp decline in March.

Why it matters

The Dilley detention center has faced ongoing criticism over poor conditions and lack of adequate medical and educational services for detainees. The congressmen's visit suggests the facility may be doubling down on secrecy and limiting transparency under the new DHS leadership, raising concerns about the treatment of immigrant families and children held there.

The details

According to Castro and Casar, staff at Dilley were instructed by ICE leadership in Washington D.C. to read from prepared 'scripts of propaganda' during the congressmen's tour. Staffers were also not allowed to answer questions directly, and had to refer inquiries to be submitted in writing to D.C. officials. The lawmakers said ICE sent staff from D.C. to monitor their visit, though they didn't provide further details. The facility's population has risen back up to 339 individuals, including 77 children, after dropping sharply to 100 detainees in March. The congressmen also relayed horror stories from detainees, including a 5-year-old girl who has suffered from untreated cavities for months, and a boy who had blood in his stool but was only given laxatives.

  • In late March, the detention center's population dropped to 100 detainees from 1,100 in January.
  • As of today, the population has risen to 339 individuals, including 77 children.

The players

Joaquin Castro

A U.S. Representative from Texas's 20th congressional district, who has been critical of conditions at immigration detention facilities.

Greg Casar

A U.S. Representative from Texas's 35th congressional district, who joined Castro on the visit to the Dilley detention center.

Kristi Noem

The former Department of Homeland Security Secretary who was recently ousted.

Markwayne Mullin

The new Department of Homeland Security Secretary who has replaced Kristi Noem.

Ricardo

A detainee at the Dilley facility who is a legal permanent resident, originally from Venezuela.

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What they’re saying

“When we got there, the folks at ICE pulled out scripts that they had been commanded to read by ICE leadership in Washington D.C.”

— Joaquin Castro, U.S. Representative

“It's the same cruelty, but there's more secrecy now”

— Joaquin Castro, U.S. Representative

“This is a travesty, this is a national scandal, and it should shake all of our consciences.”

— Greg Casar, U.S. Representative

What’s next

Castro and Casar say they will reach out to ICE and CoreCivic, the private prison company that operates the Dilley facility, to inquire about the reported incident of a guard using racial slurs against detainees.

The takeaway

The increased secrecy and lack of transparency at the Dilley detention center under new DHS leadership raises serious concerns about the treatment of immigrant families and children held there, especially given the ongoing issues with inadequate medical care, education, and allegations of cruel treatment by guards.