Congressional Leaders Visit Detained Family Amid Immigration Protests

Tue Feb 03 2026 14:24:05 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Reps. Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett visit a Texas facility holding a father and son amid ongoing protests over immigration policies.

Democratic Representatives Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett traveled to a Texas detention center to meet with a father and his 5-year-old son from Ecuador, whose detention has sparked protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies. The visit aims to emphasize oversight and control over ICE operations, as the Democrats continue to challenge the treatment and conditions of detainees. Castro emphasized the need for transparency and accountability as they seek access to the facility amid previous denials of entry to Congress members. In the backdrop, the ongoing protests highlight the community's outrage and the political implications of the sweeping immigration enforcement actions.

DILLEY, Texas — Democratic Reps. Joaquin Castro and Jasmine Crockett set out to visit a Texas facility holding a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father, whose detention has ignited protests against the Trump administration's immigration policies. Castro, accompanied by Crockett, who is also a U.S. Senate candidate, aimed to check on the welfare of the family, recently detained in Minnesota.

Outside the South Texas Family Residential Center, dozens of protesters rallied, echoing the demands for humane treatment. We’re going to find out soon if they will honor their word to allow us access as Congress members, Castro stated in a video.

This trip is a critical part of the Democrats' strategy to highlight the consequences of immigration enforcement, with several Congress members facing access denials in the past. Despite these challenges, they hope to bring attention to the poor conditions described by detainees.

On January 20, Liam Conejo Ramos and his father were taken into custody in Minneapolis, resulting in massive public protests. A federal judge has temporarily halted their removal from the country as legal challenges unfold.

Castro, asserting the need for accountability in immigration policies, criticized Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for her administration's handling of immigration enforcement. Democrats call for action amid ongoing debates on funding and oversight of enforcement agencies as the midterm elections approach, emphasizing the urgent need to address the humanitarian implications of current immigration policies.