Dilley, Texas – A two-month-classic baby, Juan Nicolás, detained with his mother at the ICE Family Detention Center in Dilley, Texas, has been deported to Mexico after a brief hospitalization for bronchitis, according to statements from Congressman Joaquin Castro and reporting from News 4 San Antonio. The case has sparked renewed criticism of the conditions and medical care provided at the facility and raises questions about the treatment of infants in immigration detention. This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by asylum-seeking families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Castro first brought the situation to public attention on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, sharing on X (formerly Twitter) that Juan Nicolás had developed bronchitis while in custody and had become unresponsive at one point. He stated that the baby was briefly hospitalized but quickly released, a decision that raised concerns given his young age and fragile health. The Frio County Sheriff’s Office confirmed they were not notified of the initial transport to the hospital, but were informed upon Juan Nicolás’s discharge, KENS 5 reported.
The situation escalated when Juan Nicolás’s mother, Mireya López Sánchez, appeared before an immigration judge Tuesday morning and was informed she would be deported. According to Castro, the family was deported later that day with only $190 in commissary funds. López Sánchez and her son were subsequently taken to the border, where they confirmed their deportation, News 4 San Antonio detailed.
Concerns Over Medical Care and Treatment
López Sánchez told N+ Univisión that Juan Nicolás continues to suffer from bronchitis and has not received adequate medical attention since being released from the hospital. She also alleged that a doctor at the facility threatened to withhold medical care from her son if she continued to speak publicly about their experience. “The doctor started saying that she was seeing what was happening outside and that supposedly she wasn’t giving me good care and that… she told me, implying that if I kept talking about what was happening, he would no longer have protection,” López Sánchez stated, according to reporting from WOAI.
The family is now facing an uncertain future, lacking resources and shelter. “I have nothing, I demand a house, I need a roof to sleep under, or at least attention for my children, because they are unprotected,” López Sánchez said in an exclusive interview with N+ Univisión. The case highlights the vulnerability of families seeking asylum and the potential for inadequate medical care within detention facilities.
Dilley Detention Center Under Scrutiny
The Dilley facility, a CoreCivic-operated detention center, has faced previous allegations of abuse and mistreatment of immigrants. It recently housed Liam Conejo, a five-year-old boy whose detention with his father in Minnesota garnered national attention, as reported by News 4 San Antonio. The center’s practices are now under increased scrutiny following Juan Nicolás’s case.
Congressman Castro has been vocal in his criticism of ICE’s actions, calling the deportation of a sick infant and his family “heinous.” He stated that his staff is working to locate the family and hold ICE accountable. Castro’s office is focused on tracking the family’s whereabouts, ensuring their wellbeing, and demanding details about their situation.
What’s Next
The immediate future for Juan Nicolás and his family remains unclear. Castro and his team are actively attempting to locate the family in Mexico and provide assistance. Further investigation into the medical care provided at the Dilley facility is expected, and the case is likely to fuel ongoing debate about the conditions and policies surrounding immigration detention. Updates on the family’s situation and any potential legal challenges are anticipated in the coming days and weeks.
If you or someone you know needs help, the following resources are available:
- RAICES: https://www.raicestexas.org/
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center: https://www.ilrc.org/
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