Family Detention

Imagine a family traveling thousands of miles on foot, by bus - or whatever means available - fleeing persecution and violence, seeking asylum and protection across U.S. borders. Families who make the long and dangerous journey to the United States are in search of the freedom and security not found in their home countries. But instead of finding liberty and justice on American soil, many families were locked inside a former prison.

Inside the T. Don Hutto detention center, families were locked in prison cells, surrounded by institutional green walls. Family members were often separated from each other. Children had no stuffed animals or toys and only one hour of schooling per day. With only 20 minutes to eat their meals, children often went hungry.

From our 2006 trip to Hutto:

Dominica* is a Honduran asylum seeker detained with her two children at Hutto. Nelly is nine years old and Alice is three. At night they all sleep together in the bottom bunk of their jail cell because they are afraid. Nelly says,

"If you are not good, they will take you away from your mom."

Ending the Detention of Families

Thankfully, in August 2009, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that the agency would no longer detain families at Hutto. Our advocacy on the issue played a significant role in its closure.

• Read more on our work with families in detention.

*Names have been changed to protect women and children