Juan Nicolás

Synopsis

Juan Nicolás, a 2-month-old baby, was held with his mother at the South Texas Family Residential Center (Dilley) for more than three weeks. U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-San Antonio) spoke out about the infant's medical care after the child's mother said her son had bronchitis and had been unresponsive at times; Castro said the facility lacked the medical capacity to treat him and that "his life is in danger." At one point no doctor was available in the early morning when the baby needed attention. On the night of 16 February 2026, Nicolás was taken to a Pearsall hospital for evaluation; ICE described it as precautionary and said he was not admitted. The next day, Castro said the family—Juan Nicolás, his mother, father, and 16-month-old sister—had been deported to Mexico with only the money they had in their commissary account, about $190. Castro called the deportation of a sick baby and his family "heinous." The Dilley facility has been under scrutiny for holding children beyond court-mandated limits and for conditions described in lawsuits; measles cases were also confirmed there.

Key takeaways

From court records, news reporting, and linked sources below.

  1. Juan Nicolás, 2 months old, was held with his mother at the South Texas Family Residential Center (Dilley) for more than three weeks.
  2. He had bronchitis and respiratory issues; his mother told Rep. Castro her son was unresponsive at times; Castro said the facility lacked medical capacity to treat him and 'his life is in danger.'
  3. At one point no doctor was available in the early morning when the baby needed medical attention.
  4. He was taken to a Pearsall hospital the night of 16 February for evaluation; ICE said it was precautionary and he was not admitted; he was released from the hospital around midnight.
  5. On 17 February, Rep. Joaquin Castro said the family had been deported to Mexico: Juan Nicolás, his mother, father, and 16-month-old sister.
  6. Castro said ICE deported the family with only the money in their commissary—about $190.
  7. Castro called it 'heinous' to 'unnecessarily deport a sick baby and his entire family.'
  8. The Dilley facility has been in the spotlight after the detention of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father; a December ICE report showed hundreds of children held beyond court-mandated limits.
  9. At least one lawsuit alleges inhumane conditions at Dilley; DHS confirmed at least two measles cases at the facility.
  10. Castro said he was focused on finding the family and ensuring their safety after deportation.

Reference links

Related

Detention facility

Dilley Immigration Processing Center→

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