Dilley ICE Facility Exposed as Charity Founder Reveals Kids Are Harassed for Laughing Under 24-Hour Lights

Trump's Dilley ICE facility has come under renewed scrutiny after Casey Revkin, a co-founder of the nonprofit Each Step Home, described children living under 24-hour lights and claimed some are even harassed by guards for laughing.

Speaking on The Katie Phang Show, Revkin said she has seen families struggle with food, water, heat and other basic needs at the Texas detention centre, while her organisation now sends more than $10,000 (£7,400) a week to help detained families buy essentials.

Children Face 24-Hour Lights at Dilley

Revkin, who has visited the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas, described the facility as a harsh environment for families with young children.

She said the centre is made up of trailers in a hot, dusty area and claimed the lights remain on around the clock for security reasons, making it difficult for children and parents to sleep properly.

Her most striking allegation concerned the way children are treated when they behave like children.

'Children in ICE detention in Dilley get in trouble for laughing,' Revkin said during the interview.

When asked to explain, she added, 'They get harassed by their guards for laughing.'

Reports published earlier this year have also documented complaints about round-the-clock lighting, food quality, medical care and conditions inside the facility.

ProPublica separately reported that children detained there described missing school, friends and ordinary comforts while being held with their families.

Families Report Problems With Food and Water

According to Revkin, basic necessities can become a serious problem for families inside Dilley. She said families have reported issues including worms, cockroaches and mould in food, while also describing concerns about the tap water.

The claims have been echoed by detainees and their advocates in other reporting, although federal officials have disputed some descriptions of conditions.

The Department of Homeland Security has said detainees receive three meals a day, clean water, bedding, showers and toiletries, while children have access to teachers, classrooms and educational materials.

Revkin said families sometimes turn to the commissary to find food and other products their children can tolerate. A medium box of Cheerios, she said, costs $14 (£10.40) at Dilley, which is significantly higher than comparable products outside detention.

For families already dealing with detention, Revkin said those costs can quickly add up.

Each Step Home Sends Thousands to Families

Revkin founded Each Step Home after becoming involved in family reunification efforts in 2018. She said the organisation initially helped families separated during the first Trump administration before shifting its focus as family detention expanded again.

The nonprofit now helps families held at Dilley by depositing money into commissary accounts.

Revkin said she initially hoped to raise around $1,000 (£742) but donations quickly grew. She said more than $10,000 is now sent each week, supporting roughly 67 families and about 80 children.

Each Step Home's website also confirms that it provides commissary support to children and families in ICE detention and says reports from Dilley include concerns about food, water and sleepless nights under fluorescent lighting.

For Revkin, the central issue remains the children inside the facility. 'Children deserve to laugh. Children deserve to play. Children deserve to drink clean water,' she said.