SAN ANTONIO, TX— On Wednesday, April 8, FWD.us, Families Belong Together, U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and U.S. Representative Greg Casar (TX-35) held a press conference calling on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to release families who are being detained at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center.

During the press conference, Rep. Castro and Rep. Casar shared what they witnessed while touring the Dilley Immigration Processing Center earlier in the day. The facility has drawn national concern due to unsafe conditions and inadequate medical care. Attorneys and family advocates have cited harsh treatment of children, poor water quality, insufficient meals, and a lack of medical attention for pregnant women.

                                     

For additional photos, click here. Credits to Alex Gilliam.

The joint press conference began with remarks from Zaira Garcia, Regional Government Relations Director at FWD.us. “What is happening here in Dilley is not a policy debate and it's not abstract. It is mothers, fathers, and children being held behind these walls, in conditions that put their health, their safety, and their dignity at risk,” said Garcia. “As a country, we have a choice. We can continue down a path that threatens the safety and stability of our children and our future, or we can choose policies that reflect our values and strengthen our communities and work to reduce the number of people behind bars. I am grateful to the members of Congress who came here today to see this facility firsthand and to speak out. Their leadership is critical at this moment.”

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (TX-20) then spoke, saying: “Under the new DHS secretary, the Dilley trailer prison run by ICE and CoreCivic has become more secretive and cruel. Today, I spoke to children and families who are struggling without proper medical, dental, and mental health care. It’s cruel and inhumane to lock these children and families up. Together, we will shut down Dilley and free our children.”

 “We are here to say: free the children. We learned this week the Trump Administration has detained 6,200 kids. Congressman Castro and I saw with our own eyes how Trump and ICE lie, and lie, and lie about mass deportations and detention of children. This must end,” continued U.S. Representative Greg Casar (TX-35).

The press conference focused on the brutality of ICE raids and called for greater oversight, a pause in additional hirings, and halting plans to expand detention facilities. 

Click HERE for a recording of the press conference.