Measles Outbreak at Dilley Immigration Detention Center
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has halted all movement at the Dilley Immigration Detention Center in Texas following a measles outbreak, as announced by officials on Sunday.
The Department of Homeland Security revealed Saturday that two detainees tested positive for measles. Coincidentally, a 5-year-old boy and his father were released from the facility that same day, following their detention, which had raised significant concerns last month.
“On January 31, 2026, the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed active measles cases among two detainees at the Dilley facility,” stated Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. She further indicated that ICE health officials are implementing measures to isolate those potentially affected until the outbreak is contained.
“ICE Health Services personnel immediately enacted quarantine measures to prevent further infection, halting all movement within the facility and isolating anyone suspected of exposure,” McLaughlin continued.
She mentioned that medical staff are monitoring detainees’ conditions closely and taking necessary preventive measures. All detainees are receiving adequate medical care and attention.
Despite the outbreak, officials emphasized that the facility offers a level of medical care that many detainees may not have received previously. “It is a long-established practice to provide thorough medical services to individuals upon entering ICE custody,” McLaughlin remarked. This includes medical, dental, and mental health services, as well as emergency care available around the clock.
Last year, the U.S. recorded its highest incidence of measles in decades, with 2,267 cases nationally, according to the CDC. In West Texas alone, there have been at least 762 documented cases, with associated fatalities and hospitalizations as reported by the Texas Department of State Health Services.
The Dilley facility has faced increasing scrutiny due to the detention case of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias. Texas state Representative Joaquin Castro has committed to inspecting the facility later this week. Reports indicate that the two measles cases surfaced shortly after Castro’s commitment to oversee conditions at the center.
Castro’s office noted that those who visited the facility were told they had been vaccinated against measles. Moreover, thorough examinations were conducted on the father and son before their release, ensuring they posed no health risks.
