Democracy Now! Audio Democracy Now! 2026-01-29 Thursday
11 snips
Jan 29, 2026 
LaMonica McIver, Democratic congresswoman from New Jersey, discusses her oversight visit to an ICE facility and ensuing federal charges. Javier Hidalgo, legal director at an immigrant support org, describes family detention conditions in Texas. Eric Lee, immigration attorney in San Antonio, reports from Dilley on long detentions, harm to children, and protests inside the center.
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Children Held Months In Family Detention
- Eric Lee described meeting detainees including a family of six and two five-year-old twins who've been detained for over eight months.
- He said one five-year-old drew a picture of stick figures in a cage and suffers nightmares about being trapped.
Party Responsibility For Detention Infrastructure
- Eric Lee argued the Democratic Party shares responsibility for mass family detention infrastructure built over multiple administrations.
- He warned protest movements must distance from Democrats and orient to the working class to close Dilley.
Detainees Face Neglect And Infantilizing Treatment
- Javier Hidalgo described Dilley conditions: inadequate food, medical neglect, limited educational resources, and children locked in rooms.
- He said guards toss crayons and deny protections while families languish for over 100 days.