Trump Administration Reopens Texas Family Detention Centers for Immigration Enforcement

The controversial policy revives family detention at private facilities, drawing criticism over past allegations of abuse and neglect.

The Trump administration has resumed the practice of detaining migrant families, reopening two Texas facilities, including the 2,400-bed South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley.
The Biden administration had closed these centers in 2021, citing high costs and a shift toward alternatives like remote tracking technology.
Private prison company CoreCivic, which operates the Dilley facility, expects to generate $180 million annually under a new contract running through 2030.
Advocacy groups and lawmakers have condemned the move, citing past allegations of neglect, abuse, and inadequate medical care at these facilities, including reports of a child’s death in 2018.
The Trump administration plans to expand mass deportations, with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting families, even those without criminal records, for detention and removal.