By Trendsetter Tribune 
PEARSALL, TX — A Canadian citizen and long-time U.S. permanent resident is speaking out from a federal detention center in Texas, alleging that his conditions of confinement are worse than those afforded to convicted murderers.
Curtis Wright, a Canadian-born father who has lived in the United States for nearly 30 years, has been held at the South Texas Detention Facility in Pearsall since November 2025. Despite his decades of legal residency, Wright was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents following a check-in regarding a minor drug possession conviction from when he was in high school.
Inside Pearsall: “Freezing and Inedible”
Wright’s fiancée, Kayla Thomsen, has detailed the dire conditions her husband has described to her during their limited communication.
- Freezing Temperatures: Wright reports that the facility is kept at extremely cold temperatures, often requiring detainees to sleep in their clothes to stay warm.
- Poor Sanitation and Water: Concerns have been raised regarding the quality of the drinking water and the overall cleanliness of the crowded living conditions.
- Inedible Food: Thomsen described the meals provided to detainees as “slop,” stating that they are largely inedible.
Due Process Delays and Divided Family
The emotional and financial toll on the family has been immense, exacerbated by long delays in the immigration court system.
“He said he’s being treated worse than a murderer. He is a father, a hard worker, and he just wants to go home to his family.” — Kayla Thomsen, Feb 2026
| Issue | Details |
| Cancelled Court Date | Wright was scheduled for a virtual court hearing last month, but the judge failed to appear, resulting in a significant delay for a new date. |
| Custody Battle | While Wright has the option to “self-deport” to Canada, doing so would jeopardize his shared custody of his two sons, who are U.S. citizens. |
| Criminal History | The detention stems from a drug possession conviction from his youth, for which he had already completed community service. |
A Growing Crisis in Detention Centers
Wright’s case is one of several recent incidents highlighting concerns about conditions within private detention facilities run on behalf of ICE. A federal judge in New York recently ordered improvements in hygiene and food quality at a Manhattan holding center, describing them as “inhumane.”
The Canadian Consulate has reportedly been notified, but the timeline for Wright’s release or hearing remains uncertain.