DILLEY, Texas (RTW News) — Democratic Reps. Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett visited a Texas detention center on Wednesday to meet a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father, whose detention has sparked protests concerning the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies. Castro expressed the intent to speak with the family and assess the conditions at the Dilley facility, where reports of poor treatment have emerged from detainees.
Outside the South Texas Family Residential Center, numerous protesters demonstrated against the ongoing immigration crackdown, showing solidarity with those held inside. Castro stated, “We’re going to find out whether they’ll honor their word about our legal entitlement as Congress members to check on the welfare of these individuals.”
This visit comes as part of a broader Democratic push for congressional oversight amid criticisms of the Trump administration's handling of immigration enforcement, particularly following a series of raids in Minnesota that resulted in demonstrations from the local community and tragic incidents involving law enforcement.
The administration has previously restricted access to federal facilities for some members of Congress; however, Castro confirmed that detainees at Dilley had been permitted to request meetings with congressional representatives. The detention of young Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, has particularly resonated with activists and lawmakers alike.
Castro and Crockett's visit to the Dilley center highlights the escalating scrutiny of immigration policies and the push from Democrats for more transparency and accountability relating to the treatment of detainees. Many Democrats, including those from Minnesota, have faced obstacles in obtaining access to detainees under new policies requiring advance notice.
Castro has been vocal in condemning the Department of Homeland Security, calling it a “lawless” system effectively acting as a “bounty hunter organization.” Both he and Crockett continue to seek significant reforms to immigration enforcement practices in light of tragic events surrounding recent raids, echoing sentiments of their constituents and fellow lawmakers.
Outside the South Texas Family Residential Center, numerous protesters demonstrated against the ongoing immigration crackdown, showing solidarity with those held inside. Castro stated, “We’re going to find out whether they’ll honor their word about our legal entitlement as Congress members to check on the welfare of these individuals.”
This visit comes as part of a broader Democratic push for congressional oversight amid criticisms of the Trump administration's handling of immigration enforcement, particularly following a series of raids in Minnesota that resulted in demonstrations from the local community and tragic incidents involving law enforcement.
The administration has previously restricted access to federal facilities for some members of Congress; however, Castro confirmed that detainees at Dilley had been permitted to request meetings with congressional representatives. The detention of young Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, has particularly resonated with activists and lawmakers alike.
Castro and Crockett's visit to the Dilley center highlights the escalating scrutiny of immigration policies and the push from Democrats for more transparency and accountability relating to the treatment of detainees. Many Democrats, including those from Minnesota, have faced obstacles in obtaining access to detainees under new policies requiring advance notice.
Castro has been vocal in condemning the Department of Homeland Security, calling it a “lawless” system effectively acting as a “bounty hunter organization.” Both he and Crockett continue to seek significant reforms to immigration enforcement practices in light of tragic events surrounding recent raids, echoing sentiments of their constituents and fellow lawmakers.
