On February 1, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed two cases of measles among detainees at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas. The Texas Department of State Health Services diagnosed the infections, prompting immediate action by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to quarantine the infected individuals and anyone suspected of coming into contact with them.
ICE has announced that it has ceased all movement within the facility, which primarily houses families, in an effort to control the outbreak. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin assured that medical staff are actively monitoring the health conditions of all detainees and providing adequate medical care.
The Dilley facility has been under scrutiny lately, especially following the recent release of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias. Their release occurred just before the measles cases were reported, raising concerns about potential exposure. Congressmen, including Joaquin Castro, have previously criticized the conditions of the facility, stating that "unreliable access to medical care" compromises the health and safety of detained families.
Nationwide, measles cases have surged, with 588 confirmed cases reported in recent months, according to CDC data. This situation in Dilley underscores the broader public health risks associated with declining vaccination rates and the challenges faced in detention centers.
As authorities take steps to mitigate the risks associated with these infections, the community and advocacy groups are expressing their concerns regarding the overall treatment of detainees and the adequacy of health services provided within the immigration system.
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