1. United States
2. Mich.
3. Letter

Two-year-old Kaleth is currently detained at the Dilley detention center in Texas and is reportedly getting sicker each day. He has stopped eating the food served there, which detainees say has sometimes contained mold and worms. He now has a fever. When his mother asked staff for medical help, she was reportedly told the problem was “mental.” Whatever one’s position on immigration policy, the basic duty to protect a child’s life and health should not be controversial. A two-year-old in government custody cannot advocate for himself, choose his environment, or seek medical care. When the federal government detains a child, it assumes responsibility to ensure the child is safe, fed, and treated when sick. This situation is especially troubling given that the facility is operated by the private prison company CoreCivic, which expects to generate roughly $180 million annually from the site through at least March 2030. I urge you to join Rep. Joaquin Castro in pressing ICE and CoreCivic to ensure Kaleth receives proper medical care immediately and to release him and his mother, Joani. I also ask that you contact ICE leadership, request a briefing on conditions at Dilley, and conduct congressional oversight to ensure no child in federal custody is subjected to neglect. Thank you for your time and for your prompt response.