"Behind the Walls: The Heartbreaking Reality of Immigrant Detention Through the Eyes of a 14-Year-Old"
Inside the Dilley Immigration Processing Center: The Story of Ariana Velasquez
Dilley, Texas — Fourteen-year-old Ariana Velasquez has spent over 45 days in the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, a facility designed to hold immigrant families. During a recent visit, I met Ariana and her mother, Stephanie Valladares, in a stark visiting room where they were served boxed lunches consisting of a cup of yellowish stew and a hamburger patty in a plain bun. Ariana, with her long black curls cascading around her face, wore a government-issued gray sweatsuit. Initially, she appeared withdrawn, poking at her food while her mother spoke on their behalf.
However, the conversation shifted when I asked Ariana about her home in Hicksville, New York. The family had moved from Honduras when she was just seven years old. Stephanie had applied for asylum, married a neighbor who was already in the U.S., and had two more children. Ariana, a freshman at Hicksville High, was falling behind in her studies due to her detention. She expressed deep longing for her siblings, Gianna, a toddler known as Gigi, and Jacob, a kindergartener with wide brown eyes.
I had previously met her siblings in Hicksville, where Jacob had shown me a security camera installed by their mother to keep an eye on them while she worked. I relayed to Ariana how Jacob often spoke to the camera, hoping for a response from their mother. This news brought tears to both Ariana and Stephanie.
In a heartfelt letter following my visit, Ariana wrote, “My younger siblings haven’t been able to see their mom in more than a month. They are very young and you need both of your parents when you are growing up.” She described Dilley as a place filled with “sadness and mostly depression.”
The Dilley Facility: A Complex History
The Dilley facility, operated by private prison firm CoreCivic, is located approximately 72 miles south of San Antonio and nearly 2,000 miles from Ariana’s home. It consists of a sprawling collection of trailers and dormitories, camouflaged against the dusty landscape and surrounded by a tall fence. Originally opened during the Obama administration to manage a surge of families crossing the border, the facility was closed to family detentions under President Biden in 2021. However, the Trump administration quickly resumed family detentions as part of a broader immigration crackdown.
Despite the administration’s belief that detaining families together would mitigate public outcry, incidents like the viral photo of a 5-year-old boy detained in Minneapolis sparked widespread condemnation. The Dilley facility has since become a focal point for discussions about the treatment of immigrant families in detention.
Life Inside Dilley
Since early December, I have spoken with over two dozen detainees, including many children, all of whom had parental consent to share their experiences. The letters I received from the children varied in content; some were filled with drawings, while others expressed their struggles in simple yet poignant language.
A nine-year-old Venezuelan girl, Susej Fernández, wrote, “I have been 50 days in Dilley Immigration Processing Center. Seen how people like me, immigrants are being treated changes my perspective about the U.S.” Another letter from a 14-year-old Colombian girl, Gaby M.M., described the guards’ harsh treatment, stating, “The workers treat the residents unhumanly.”
Children often spoke about missing their teachers, friends, and even simple pleasures like McDonald’s Happy Meals. Thirteen-year-old Gustavo Santiago expressed his confusion about why he was detained, saying, “I feel like I’ll never get out of here. I just ask that you don’t forget about us.”
Conditions and Concerns
The Dilley facility has seen over 3,500 detainees since reopening, with more than half being minors. Although a legal settlement generally limits the detention of children to 20 days, many, including Ariana, have been held for much longer. Reports indicate that children have experienced severe emotional distress, with some resorting to self-harm.
Medical care has also been a significant concern. Parents reported delays in treatment for their children, with some experiencing severe health issues. For instance, Kheilin Valero’s 18-month-old daughter was hospitalized after developing pneumonia and bronchitis due to inadequate medical attention.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) maintains that all detainees receive proper medical care, yet many families have reported unsanitary food conditions and insufficient medical attention. A recent court declaration from the nonprofit organization RAICES noted that clients had raised concerns about inadequate medical care on over 700 occasions since August 2025.
A Glimmer of Hope
In January, shortly after my visit, ICE released around 200 detainees, including Ariana and her mother. The sudden release left many detainees in shock, fearing deportation. Upon their return to New York, Stephanie faced challenges, including losing her job due to the ankle monitor she was required to wear.
Ariana returned to school, where her English teacher welcomed her back with tears of joy. Although she is trying to move on from her experience, the emotional toll remains evident. She expressed concern for those still detained, wishing for their release.
As I spoke with Ariana recently, she mentioned her newfound skills in volleyball and her plans to try out for the school team, showcasing a resilience that shines through her challenging circumstances.
Conclusion
The experiences of Ariana Velasquez and her fellow detainees at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center highlight the complex and often troubling realities of family detention in the United States. As the nation grapples with immigration policy, the voices of these children serve as a poignant reminder of the human impact behind the statistics. ProPublica continues to investigate conditions within immigration detention facilities, aiming to shed light on the experiences of those affected.