Dozens of immigrant families protested Saturday behind the fences of a Texas detention facility where a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father were sent this week after being detained in Minnesota.
Aerial photos taken by The Associated Press showed children and parents at the South Texas Family Residential Center clad in jackets and sweaters, holding signs reading Libertad para los niños, or Liberty for the kids. Chants of “Libertad!” echoed as attendees stood in solidarity outside the facility in Dilley.
Maria Alejandra Montoya Sanchez, a mother detained at the facility, emphasized, We’re immigrants with children, not criminals, urging for dignity and lawful treatment. She has been held at Dilley with her 9-year-old daughter since October.
The detention of Liam Conejo Ramos and his father has sparked national discourse around immigration policy, with contradicting accounts regarding the circumstances of their detention.
In Minneapolis, protests surged earlier that day following a federal officer shooting a man, intensifying tensions in a city already reeling from a recent tragic event. Montoya Sanchez noted the demonstration was sparked by circumstances described in Liam’s case, as concerns of the treatment of detainees worsen.
Attorneys and advocates report egregious conditions within the facility, including claims of insufficient medical access and poor nourishment. Eric Lee, an immigration attorney, expressed his admiration for the families’ bravery, stating that their willingness to protest under such conditions speaks volumes about their courage and the dire circumstances they face.
Hundreds of children are reported to have been held at Dilley beyond legal limits, highlighting systemic issues within the U.S. immigration process.
