ICE Halts All Movement at Texas Detention Center Amid Measles Outbreak
DILLEY, Texas — Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has suspended all movement within the Dilley Immigration Processing Center after two detainees were confirmed to have measles, raising urgent public health concerns at the facility. The announcement came Sunday following diagnoses made on Saturday, coinciding with the release of a 5-year-old boy and his father from the center.
According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed active measles infections among two detainees on January 31, 2026. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin explained that ICE health officials have implemented quarantine protocols to contain the outbreak and prevent further transmission within the center.
The Dilley facility, located in South Texas, has been under scrutiny in recent weeks after the detention of the young boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo, sparked widespread alarm. The pair were escorted out of the center by Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro on Saturday, drawing attention to the conditions and health risks faced by detainees.
“ICE Health Services Corps immediately initiated containment measures,” McLaughlin said, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to managing the situation with appropriate medical care and isolation procedures. The halt on all detainee movement is intended to limit exposure while health officials conduct thorough screenings and contact tracing.
The outbreak at the detention center underscores ongoing challenges related to communicable diseases in congregate settings, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children and families in immigration custody. Measles, a highly contagious viral illness, can spread rapidly in close quarters, prompting swift public health responses to prevent escalation.
The Department of Homeland Security’s actions align with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC measles information), which recommend isolation of infected individuals and vaccination campaigns to control outbreaks. ICE’s move to quarantine affected detainees follows these protocols and aims to safeguard both detainees and staff.
Public health advocates have raised concerns about the adequacy of medical care and preventive measures in detention facilities nationwide. The outbreak at Dilley adds to calls for increased transparency and improved health services within immigration detention centers.
For more information on ICE’s detention standards and health policies, visit the ICE Detention Standards webpage. The Department of Homeland Security also provides updates on immigration enforcement and public health responses at DHS Immigration Enforcement.
As investigations continue, ICE officials have pledged to keep the public informed and to prioritize the health and safety of all individuals in their custody. The situation at Dilley remains fluid, with ongoing monitoring and response efforts underway to prevent further spread of measles within the facility.
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