A growing chorus of voices – including some of Hollywood’s biggest stars – is demanding the immediate closure of the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, citing reports of “dehumanizing conditions” and the lasting trauma inflicted on the hundreds of children and families held within its walls. The call to action, formalized in an open letter, reflects a renewed focus on the treatment of migrants and the ongoing debate over immigration detention policies in the United States.
The letter, gaining traction online with over 12,700 signatures as of this writing, specifically calls for the release of children and families and an end to what signees describe as the practice of “child imprisonment.” Among those lending their names to the effort are Madonna, Pedro Pascal, Maren Morris, John Legend, Jane Fonda, and dozens more prominent figures from the entertainment industry, alongside physicians, policy experts, and advocacy organizations. The petition is available for public signature on Change.org.
The Dilley facility, operated by the private prison company CoreCivic, has been a focal point of criticism for years. Reports detail allegations of inadequate medical care, unsanitary conditions, and psychological harm to those detained. The renewed scrutiny comes after recent reporting by Mother Jones highlighted ongoing concerns about the center’s practices.
The Role of Celebrity Advocacy
The involvement of high-profile celebrities has amplified the campaign’s reach, bringing increased attention to the plight of families held in immigration detention. The effort was further bolstered by the advocacy of Ms. Rachel, a popular children’s educator who recently met with detained children via video chat and used her platform to call for the center’s closure. Her involvement underscores a growing trend of using social media and public platforms to advocate for immigration reform.
“No child should be locked in an immigration detention center,” reads a key passage from the open letter. It goes on to detail the documented harms of detention, including “trauma, neglect and conditions that violate basic standards of health, safety, dignity and human rights.” The letter cites court filings alleging abuses such as denial of clean water, contaminated food, medical neglect, and family separation.
A History of Policy Shifts
The Dilley facility has experienced a complex history, reflecting shifting immigration policies across different administrations. Originally opened by the Obama administration in 2014, it was briefly closed by the Biden administration in 2024. However, last spring, the facility was reopened under the second Trump administration as part of a broader $45 billion expansion of immigration detention capacity.
According to data from The Marshall Project, the number of children held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention has dramatically increased since the start of the second Trump administration, jumping more than sixfold. This surge in detention numbers has fueled concerns about the capacity of facilities to provide adequate care and the long-term impact on the well-being of detained children, and families.
CoreCivic’s Role and Financial Ties
The Dilley facility is operated by CoreCivic, a private prison company that has faced scrutiny over its contracts with the federal government and its role in the immigration detention system. Critics argue that the company profits from the detention of migrants and that its financial incentives are misaligned with the well-being of those in its care. CoreCivic maintains that it provides safe and humane conditions at its facilities and adheres to all applicable regulations.
The letter specifically calls on both the federal government and CoreCivic to “return children and families to the homes and communities they were taken from and to end child imprisonment now.” It’s a demand that echoes the calls of immigration advocates who argue that community-based alternatives to detention are more humane and cost-effective.
Signatories to the letter also include Katie Couric, Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem, Brittney Griner, Elliot Page, Brandi Carlile, Diego Luna, Elizabeth Banks, Eva Longoria, Illana Glazer, John Cusack, Natasha Lyonne, Josh Dela Cruz, Lena Dunham, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michelle Williams, Muna, Sara Bareilles, and more.
What’s Next?
The open letter represents a significant show of support for the closure of the Dilley facility and a broader push for immigration reform. The petition will remain open for signatures, and organizers plan to deliver the letter to government officials and CoreCivic executives. The next key date to watch is a scheduled hearing before the House Judiciary Committee on immigration detention practices, set for April 15th. The outcome of that hearing, and any subsequent legislative action, could have a significant impact on the future of family detention in the United States.
This represents a developing story. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and consider supporting organizations working to advocate for immigrant rights.
