Monday, February 9, 2026- A growing crisis is unfolding at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in rural Texas, where immigrants — including families who entered the United States legally to seek asylum — are reporting food contaminated with bugs and serious health problems. Detainees and legal advocates say insects have been found in meals served inside the facility, and the conditions are contributing to widespread sickness. Complaints point to poor sanitation, constant lighting that disrupts sleep, and water quality issues that appear to worsen illness rather than protect health.
The situation has become more urgent with confirmed measles infections among detainees at the facility, prompting immigration authorities to halt movement inside the center and impose quarantine measures. Public health experts warn that measles spreads quickly in crowded detention environments, particularly where hygiene is compromised and medical monitoring is limited. The outbreak has intensified fears that conditions inside the facility are not just uncomfortable but actively dangerous, especially for children and medically vulnerable individuals.
Attorneys and legal observers say these reports reflect deeper systemic problems, including delayed medical care and limited access to basic necessities. Some families report being forced to buy bottled water because tap water is unsafe, while others describe long waits for treatment even during medical emergencies. The combination of contaminated food, infectious disease, and inadequate healthcare is fueling urgent calls from advocates for immediate intervention to protect the health and dignity of immigrants held in Texas detention centers.
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