A group of prominent actors, musicians, filmmakers and public figures have called for the immediate closure of the Dilley Immigration Processing Centre in Texas, US, citing unsafe conditions and mistreatment of children and families.
The open letter, addressed to the federal government and private prison operator CoreCivic, has been signed by Madonna, Pedro Pascal, Ms. Rachel, Keke Palmer, John Legend, Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo, America Ferrera, Elliot Page, Jane Fonda and a dozen other concerned celebrities.
It urges authorities to end the detention of children and families, return them to their communities, and implement reforms to prevent further abuse.
“Children held in immigration detention endure trauma, neglect and conditions that violate basic standards of health, safety, dignity and human rights,” the letter states.
It further cites instances including denial of clean water, contaminated food, inadequate medical care, sleep deprivation, separation from family members and retaliation against those who protest.
The call for action follows widespread scrutiny of the facility, including reports of measles outbreaks, unsanitary conditions, and illegal detention. The centre came into focus nationally after 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was detained during an ICE raid in Minneapolis, with images of him in a Spider-Man backpack drawing public attention.
Ms. Rachel, the educator and entertainer, expressed her concern, saying: “Every child deserves to feel safe and be treated with dignity. No child should be locked in an immigration detention centre and subjected to cruel conditions.”
The letter is open for public signatures on Change.org, with signatories spanning entertainment, activism and policy. Many celebrities emphasised the need for transparency, accountability and systemic change to protect children in the US.
