DILLEY, Texas — The plight of an 18-month-old girl detained with her parents at a South Texas immigration facility has raised alarms about the conditions facing vulnerable families in detention. The child’s family filed a federal lawsuit last Friday, detailing her critical illness, which prompted a hospitalization for life-threatening respiratory failure before she was returned to detention without the necessary medication.

The toddler, identified in the lawsuit as Amalia, was in good health prior to her family’s arrest by immigration officials in El Paso in December. They were transferred to the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, a facility criticized for its harsh conditions, particularly for young children. Advocates argue that the environment at Dilley is detrimental to the wellbeing of immigrant families.

According to the legal filing, Amalia’s health declined swiftly after her family’s detention. On January 18, she was transported to a San Antonio hospital, where she was diagnosed with pneumonia, COVID-19, RSV, and severe respiratory distress. After receiving ten days of intensive treatment, she was discharged but sent back to Dilley just days later.

The lawsuit claims that upon her return on January 28, the child was denied prescribed medication, despite medical professionals warning that she remained at high risk of reinfection. Her parents were forced to endure long waits daily to request the medication without success. The legal filings highlight a lack of access to essential healthcare in the detention facility, raising concerns about compliance with medical orders and the overall safety of the children detained there.

Elora Mukherjee, who represents the family, expressed outrage over the treatment Amalia faced after her hospitalization. “She was critically ill, and to return her to a place where she could not receive the care she desperately needed is unacceptable,” Mukherjee stated. “This is a situation that could easily lead to tragedy given her medical vulnerabilities.”

As Amalia’s condition improved following her hospitalization, the couple’s ongoing struggle at Dilley continued. The lawsuit notes that they were frequently provided only basic treatments, failing to address her severe medical needs. Advocates have pointed out that the facility is ill equipped to handle such cases, often depriving children of necessary medication and healthcare.

Compounding their distress, Amalia’s parents are facing a prolonged legal battle. They entered the U.S. in early 2024 after fleeing political persecution in Venezuela. The family complied with immigration processes, checking in regularly with authorities and living in El Paso while awaiting their asylum case’s resolution. However, their visit for a routine check-in led to their sudden detention.

Witness reports and recent legal filings depict Dilley as a facility where children suffer from inadequate nutrition, contaminated food, and insufficient medical care. Families describe the psychological and physical toll of prolonged confinement, citing issues such as weight loss and recurring illnesses.

The situation eliciting public scrutiny follows other troubling incidents involving families detained in Dilley. Recently, a five-year-old boy was photographed in distress after being separated from his father during a detention raid—a powerful image that sparked outrage and renewed calls for reform.

Despite the Department of Homeland Security’s assurance of proper care in these centers, families like Amalia’s continue to face dire realities. The lead counsel in their case described the systematic failures within the immigration system that allow such conditions to persist. “Returning children like Amalia—who are medically fragile—without ensuring they have access to adequate care is a significant threat to their health,” the attorney emphasized.

After the lawsuit was filed, the family was finally released from detention, albeit with lingering trauma from their experiences. Mukherjee noted the challenges they faced in retrieving critical belongings, such as Amalia’s prescriptions and personal documents.

Although the family now has a reprieve, the lasting effects of their ordeal remain uncertain. Mukherjee remarked, “This experience will undoubtedly have a profound impact on both Amalia and her parents for years to come. The trauma inflicted on families in detention is not easily erased.”