1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I am writing to demand that you take immediate action to ensure Congressional oversight of the Dilley detention center or work to close the facility if transparency cannot be guaranteed. Senator Chris Murphy, the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security funding panel, was blocked from inspecting detention facilities in Dilley and Pearsall, Texas this week despite providing 24 hours' notice. Senator Murphy asserted that members of Congress have a legal right to inspect such facilities, yet Homeland Security denied him access. This obstruction of legitimate Congressional oversight is unacceptable and raises serious questions about what conditions officials are trying to hide. After being denied entry, Senator Murphy met with recent detainees who had been held at Dilley. These individuals reported inhumane conditions within the facility, including food contaminated with worms and mold. No person in federal custody should be subjected to such degrading treatment. These are not abstract policy concerns but concrete health and safety violations that demand immediate investigation. When facilities refuse Congressional inspection, they forfeit the public trust necessary to operate. If Homeland Security continues blocking legitimate oversight visits from elected representatives, the only responsible course of action is to close Dilley until full transparency can be established. The American people have a right to know how their tax dollars are being spent and whether detention operations meet basic standards of human dignity. I urge you to use your position to demand immediate Congressional access to Dilley and all detention facilities in your jurisdiction. If access is refused, I expect you to advocate for the facility's closure and the transfer of detainees to facilities that operate with full transparency. Oversight is not optional in a democracy, and neither is treating people humanely while they are in federal custody.