Stacey Abrams Decries Child Detention Conditions

Abrams Visits Dilley Detention Center, Calls Conditions ‘Inhumane’

Stacey Abrams, a prominent voting rights advocate and founder of Fair Fight Action, has spoken out forcefully against the conditions faced by children detained at the Dilley, Texas immigration facility. Following a visit to the gates of the center, Abrams described the location as a “prison camp” where children are held not for any dangerous behavior, but simply because they are present in the country.

Her remarks come amid growing concerns over the number of children in ICE detention nationwide. The situation at Dilley has drawn particular attention, with reports of sick children not receiving adequate care. Immigration attorney Eric Lee, who represents families at Dilley, shared a disturbing account of a child suffering from appendicitis who was reportedly told to take Tylenol and return in three days. The child only received proper medical attention after collapsing and vomiting in the hallway.

Abrams emphasized that this situation is a choice, stating, “We are choosing to create harm because of the specter of difficulty.” She highlighted that many families are not flight risks and are actively engaging with the system, showing up for ICE check-ins and having children enrolled in school. Yet, they are subjected to what she calls “meanness and cruelty designed to numb us to what is next in this authoritarian regime.”

Connecting Immigration to Democracy’s Health

Abrams drew a direct line between the treatment of vulnerable populations, including immigrants, and the health of American democracy. She explained her “10 Steps to Authoritarianism” framework, which outlines how democratic societies can erode. “Step seven is that you scapegoat the vulnerable,” Abrams stated, pointing to immigrants and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives as current targets.

By making people numb to the suffering of these groups, she argued, societies become desensitized. “Step nine is that we normalize state violence,” she continued. Abrams warned that authoritarians gain power by convincing people that the current state of affairs is normal or even beneficial, making it difficult to recognize the loss of freedom.

“There is nothing dangerous about a child. There is nothing pernicious about a family trying to make a living and showing up for their appointments,” Abrams asserted, challenging the narrative that detaining children is necessary for safety or security. She believes that the current policies are a deliberate attempt to erode empathy and acceptance of state-sanctioned harm.

Advocating for Freedom and Power

In contrast to the steps toward authoritarianism, Abrams also outlined “10 Steps to Freedom and Power.” She urged people to take action, emphasizing that “We have to read them home.” This initiative, promoted through the website readthemhome.org, encourages people to share stories and advocate for an end to family detention. Abrams stated that Congress has the power to stop this practice immediately, regardless of which administration is in office.

“We can stop family detention. We can stop family detention. We just have to believe it’s wrong to put parents and children in prison camps,” she declared. Abrams connected this fight to the broader struggle for democracy, arguing that protecting the rights and humanity of the youngest and most vulnerable is essential to preserving democratic values for all.

Concerns Over Executive Order on Voting Rights

The conversation also touched upon recent executive orders concerning voting. Abrams expressed strong criticism of an order that would ban mail-in voting and create a national voter list of citizens, which is facing legal challenges in 23 states. She called these orders “patently unconstitutional and illegal,” explaining that the U.S. Constitution grants states the authority to determine election procedures.

Abrams argued that mail-in voting is a crucial tool for accessibility, benefiting seniors, rural residents, students, and working families who cannot easily vote on a Tuesday. She sees the push to restrict it as an attempt to undermine democratic participation. Furthermore, she raised alarm about the creation of a national database to verify citizenship as a prerequisite for voting.

“What they’re trying to do is to actually decide who they are trying to make a list so they can decide who gets to vote,” Abrams stated. She believes this is a tactic to shape future elections by disenfranchising voters they deem unfavorable. Abrams urged Americans to recognize these actions as an attempt to erode voting rights and to actively fight back against such measures.

Source: Stacey Abrams SPEAKS UP for children detained in Dilley, Texas, and nationwide (YouTube)