Inside Dilley: A Child’s Story from the Only Family Immigration Detention Center in the U.S.
Published: 2026/02/14 22:52:30
This week, ProPublica published an in-depth report based on interviews with parents and children held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, the nation’s only operating detention center for immigrant families [[1]]. The report highlights the experiences of those detained, particularly through letters written by the children themselves, offering a poignant glimpse into life inside the facility.
A Nine-Year-Old’s Plea for Freedom
Among the letters was one from Maria Antonia Guerra montoya, a nine-year-old from Colombia. Her letter,adorned with rainbows and hearts,included a drawing of herself and her mother in their detention uniforms and with their government-issued identification badges. This simple act of expression provides a powerful window into the emotional toll of detention on a young child.
Life at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center
The Dilley facility, located south of San Antonio, has held over 3,500 individuals, half of whom are minors, as its reopening by the Trump governance in early 2023 [[1]]. The ProPublica report aimed to understand the conditions faced by children within the center, and Maria Antonia’s story offers a deeply personal account.
Maria Antonia and her mother ended up at Dilley after a planned vacation to Disney World turned into a detention ordeal. Thay had traveled from Colombia to visit Maria Antonia’s mother, who had been living in the U.S. since 2018 and was in the process of applying for a green card after marrying a U.S. citizen. Their trip, intended as a joyful return to the “happiest place on earth,” quickly devolved into uncertainty and fear when they were intercepted by immigration officials upon arrival in Miami.
Interrogation and Detention
Upon arrival at Miami International Airport, Maria Antonia and her mother were separated for questioning.Maria Antonia recounted the confusion and fear she felt, stating she repeatedly offered only basic information: “I can tell you my name and my birthday and my mom’s name and her birthday and that I am from Colombia. That’s about it.” After 42 hours in airport holding rooms, they were transported to the Dilley facility.
Maria Antonia revealed that an immigration officer suggested they could have separated her from her mother if she had been ten years old, a statement that intensified her fear. During her nearly four months in detention, she experienced fainting spells, struggled with the limited vegetarian food options (primarily beans), and missed her school and friends.
Concerns About Health and Well-being
Maria Alejandra, Maria Antonia’s mother, shared concerns about her daughter’s deteriorating mental and physical health during their detention, reporting that Maria Antonia experienced nightmares and constant fear of separation or indefinite detention.
Official Response and Oversight
In response to the concerns raised in the ProPublica report, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated that Maria Alejandra had overstayed her tourist visa and had a prior arrest for theft (later dismissed). DHS also asserted that Maria Antonia received medical and mental health care, including regular check-ins, and that all detainees are provided with adequate food, water, clothing, and access to education [[1]]. CoreCivic, the private company operating the facility, maintains that it is subject to multiple layers of oversight and prioritizes the health and safety of those in its care.
Return to colombia and a Glimmer of Hope
After months of legal proceedings, an immigration judge granted Maria Alejandra and Maria Antonia “voluntary departure” on January 6th, allowing them to return to Colombia while continuing the green card submission process. They finally returned home on February 6th.
A video shared with propublica showed Maria Antonia joyfully reuniting with her teachers and friends at her school in Colombia, a powerful symbol of resilience and the importance of family and community.
Key Takeaways
- The Dilley Immigration Processing Center remains the only facility in the U.S. dedicated to detaining immigrant families.
- Children detained in facilities like Dilley experience meaningful emotional and physical distress.
- Access to adequate healthcare, nutrition, and education is a critical concern for families in detention.
- The experiences of Maria Antonia and her mother highlight the human cost of immigration policies.