By Trendsetter Tribune 
On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, a two-month-old infant suffering from bronchitis was deported to Mexico alongside his family, sparking a wave of condemnation from lawmakers and human rights advocates. The child, Juan Nicolás, had been held for approximately three weeks at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center (also known as the South Texas Family Residential Center) before being “abandoned” across the border.
The incident has intensified the national debate over the Trump administration’s revival of family detention and the conditions within the Dilley facility, which is currently the only active family detention center in the U.S.
Timeline of the Deportation
According to U.S. Rep. Joaquín Castro (D-TX) and reporting from Univision’s Lidia Terrazas, the infant’s health deteriorated rapidly in the days leading up to the deportation.
- Monday Night (Feb 16): Juan Nicolás was rushed to a local hospital in Pearsall, Texas, after suffering a “medical episode.” His mother reported he had been vomiting and at one point became unresponsive.
- Tuesday Midnight (Feb 17): Despite his respiratory infection, the infant was discharged from the hospital and returned to the Dilley facility.
- Tuesday Morning: The child’s mother, Mireya López Sánchez, appeared before an immigration judge and was informed of their imminent removal.
- Tuesday Evening: The entire family—Juan Nicolás, his 16-month-old sister, and both parents—were deported to Mexico.
“ICE deported the family with only the money that they had in their commissary—a total of $190. To unnecessarily deport a sick baby and his entire family is heinous.” — Rep. Joaquín Castro
Crisis at the Dilley Facility
The Dilley Immigration Processing Center, operated by the private prison company CoreCivic, was reopened in 2025 and has since faced mounting allegations of neglect.
- Medical Care Shortages: Reports indicate that when Juan Nicolás first showed signs of distress, no doctor was available on-site to treat him. Advocates from RAICES claim they have documented over 700 complaints regarding inadequate medical care at the facility since August 2025.
- Measles Outbreak: Earlier this month, on February 2, 2026, the facility confirmed at least two active cases of measles, leading to a temporary “halt in movement” and raising fears of a wider outbreak among the 400 children currently detained there.
- Sanitation Concerns: Families have reported unsafe drinking water, moldy food, and being forced to sleep with the lights on 24 hours a day.
After a discussion with their attorney, I have confirmed that Juan, his 16-month-old sister, his mom, and his dad have been deported.
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) February 18, 2026
According to their attorney, ICE deported the family with only the money that they had in their commissary—a total of $190.
To unnecessarily…
The “Liam Ramos” Precedent
The deportation of Juan Nicolás follows the high-profile case of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos last month. Ramos was transferred to Dilley after his father’s arrest in Minnesota, a move that sparked nationwide protests. While a federal judge eventually ordered Liam’s release, the administration has continued to use the facility for families, arguing that the Flores Settlement—which historically limited child detention to 20 days—is “outdated.”
I have an update on Juan Nicolás, the 2-month-old baby detained at Dilley, and his mother.
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) February 17, 2026
Me and my team have been in contact with Juan’s family. Juan has bronchitis—according to his mom—and at some point in the last several hours he was unresponsive. Juan was still discharged…
Political and Legal Reaction
While Democratic lawmakers like Castro and Greg Casar have called for the immediate closure of the “Dilley Trailer Prison,” some Republicans, including Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX), have defended the site. Gonzales recently described the center as a “state-of-the-art” facility and accused critics of “grandstanding.”