Measles Outbreak Prompts Lockdown at Texas Immigration Facility
A measles outbreak has triggered a complete halt to movement within the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, officials announced Sunday. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed two detainees tested positive for the highly contagious disease on Saturday, coinciding with the release of a 5-year-old boy and his father, whose detention had drawn significant public concern last month.
According to a statement from Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed the active measles infections on January 31, 2026. “ICE health officials are taking measures to quarantine the individuals involved until the situation is fully under control,” McLaughlin stated.
Immediate Quarantine Measures Implemented
The ICE Health Services Corps acted swiftly to contain the outbreak. “Immediately, steps were taken to quarantine and control further spread and infection, ceasing all movement within the facility and quarantining all individuals suspected of making contact with the infected,” McLaughlin explained. Medical personnel are actively monitoring the conditions of those affected and are implementing preventative measures to limit further transmission. All detainees are reportedly receiving appropriate medical care.
Facility Under Scrutiny Following Family’s Release
The Dilley facility has recently been the focus of increased attention following the detention of Liam Conejo Ramos, 5, and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias. Their case prompted Texas Representative Joaquin Castro to pledge inspections of the facility, according to reports from the San Antonio Express-News. Castro’s office indicated that notification of the measles cases arrived shortly after his commitment to the inspections, as cited by spokesperson Katherin Schneider.
Castro and his staff members who visited the facility are confirmed to be vaccinated against measles. Furthermore, his office stated that both the father and son underwent a comprehensive medical examination prior to their release and would not have been permitted to leave if there had been any indication of risk.
Healthcare Provisions for Detainees
Despite the outbreak, officials emphasized the comprehensive healthcare provided at the facility, asserting it often exceeds the standard of care many immigrants have previously received. “It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody,” McLaughlin said. “This includes medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care. This is the best healthcare than many aliens have received in their entire lives.”
National Measles Cases on the Rise
The outbreak at the Dilley facility occurs against a backdrop of increasing measles cases nationwide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 2,267 cases across the U.S. last year – the highest number recorded in decades. In Texas alone, the Department of State Health Services documented at least 762 cases in West Texas, resulting in at least two fatalities and 99 hospitalizations, based on data last updated in August.
The situation at the Dilley facility remains fluid, and officials continue to monitor the outbreak closely to prevent further spread and ensure the health and safety of all those within its confines.
