Physician-Lawmaker Maxine Dexter Presses for Answers on Treatment of Pregnant Minors, Children, and Families in Texas Immigration Detention Facilities

PORTLAND, OR—Congresswoman Maxine Dexter, one of six Democratic physicians serving in Congress, launched two congressional oversight efforts following visits to immigration detention facilities in Texas housing pregnant unaccompanied minors, infants, children, and families.

Last month, Dexter traveled to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) shelter in San Benito, Texas and the South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas, where she raised alarm over barriers to medical care, legal services, prolonged detention and conditions inside immigration facilities. 

“What I saw in Texas was an immigration system that treats children, pregnant girls, and families as problems to manage instead of human beings deserving of dignity and care,” said Rep. Dexter. “Children should not be imprisoned. Pregnant minors should not be navigating medical crises in detention. And families should not be denied healthcare, justice, or basic human dignity while in government custody. These agencies are funded by our tax dollars and answer to the American people. I intend to get answers and transparency.”

In her letter to HHS and ORR leadership, Dexter demanded detailed information about the treatment of pregnant and parenting unaccompanied minors and their infants at the San Benito shelter. The letter seeks answers about increases in the length of time children remain in custody, emergency medical response capabilities, reproductive healthcare access, language access services, and protocols for handling cases involving rape, incest, or abuse. Dexter also questioned whether the facility is equipped to manage high-risk pregnancies and safely care for newborns.

In her letter to DHS and ICE leadership, Dexter pressed officials about conditions at the Dilley family detention facility, including prolonged detention of children, access to water and internet, restrictions on communication and legal services, mental health protocols, and allegations of retaliatory or degrading treatment by staff. The letter also seeks information about the facility’s compliance with the Flores Settlement requirement that children not be held in prolonged detention.

Dexter requested responses from both agencies by May 15, 2026.

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