El Valle Detention Facility
Raymondville, Texas · 17 well-documented stories
What stands out here
Conditions that appear in a larger share of this facility's stories than of facility stories in general. Stories run from Apr 2025 to Aug 2026.
Nothing stands out against facilities in general; the most documented conditions here:
- Medication withheld18% vs 6%
Prescribed medication (insulin, HIV drugs, psychiatric medication, seizure drugs, chemotherapy) was taken, withheld, or not provided.
- Food or water withheld12% vs 10%
The person went without food or water for an extended period, or was given spoiled or inadequate food.
- Medical requests ignored6% vs 14%
Requests for care, a doctor, or an emergency response were refused, delayed, or dismissed.
share of stories hereacross all facilities
Everything the stories describe here
- Medication withheld · 3 stories
Prescribed medication (insulin, HIV drugs, psychiatric medication, seizure drugs, chemotherapy) was taken, withheld, or not provided.
- Food or water withheld · 2 stories
The person went without food or water for an extended period, or was given spoiled or inadequate food.
- Medical requests ignored · 1 story
Requests for care, a doctor, or an emergency response were refused, delayed, or dismissed.
- Solitary confinement · 1 story
Placed in isolation or segregation.
- Abuse or threats by staff · 1 story
Beatings, threats, humiliation, slurs, or theft by guards or staff.
- Tackled, pinned, or thrown down · 1 story
The person was tackled, slammed, pinned to the ground, or thrown against a surface.
In their words
“Yo les diría al ICE que piensen en las familias, y que se haga justicia, que frenen esta persecución injusta. Que piensen en los menores, en sus hijas y que dejen de traumatizar a familias. Mi hermana ha estado trabajando y contribuyendo con el país”
“This man has unbelievable faith and has changed so much of my perspective in life,”
Stories
- Arantza C.: Woman with green card held by ICE in Willacy County, TexasA legal permanent resident held at El Valle Detention Center in Texas is seeking emergency release, arguing authorities have no legal basis to detain her. A court hearing was set for August 24, 2026.Willacy County, TX · Aug 14, 2026 · CourtListener
Leticia U.: Nigerian nun detained by ICE on way to Mass, denied medicationSister Leticia Ugboaja, a 56-year-old Nigerian-born nun and registered nurse, was detained while walking to Mass in McAllen, Texas, despite valid legal status, and released the same day after lawmakers intervened.McAllen, TX · Jul 29, 2026 · The Independent, East Texas Radio, Spot On Texas +27
Victor L.L.: Father of U.S. service member detained by ICE despite military paroleVictor Luna Lopez, a Mexican roofer in the U.S. since 2004 with military parole tied to his daughter's active service, is held at El Valle Detention Center as his family fights for his release.Rio Grande Valley, TX · Jul 2, 2026 · FOX RGV, AOL, WSWS- Jeny M.G.: Woman held by ICE in Texas without a bond hearingA woman held at El Valle Detention Center in Texas is fighting the government's refusal to give her a bond hearing. A court leaned toward denying her request but is waiting on an appeals court ruling in a similar case.Willacy County, Texas · Jun 29, 2026 · CourtListener
- Emelina V.T.: Woman held by ICE in Willacy County, Texas without a bond hearingA woman held at El Valle Detention Center in Texas challenged being detained without a bond hearing, arguing it violates her due process rights. A court put off ruling on her claim pending a related appeals case.Willacy County, Texas · Jun 24, 2026 · CourtListener
- Lesly M.L.: Woman held by ICE at Texas detention center without bond hearingA woman held at El Valle Detention Center in Texas is challenging her mandatory detention without a bond hearing. A court leaned toward denying relief but is awaiting a similar appeals case first.Willacy County, TX · Jun 23, 2026 · CourtListener
Yenniffer E.: DACA recipient mother of two held nearly three months by ICEYenniffer England, 32, a nurse's assistant and mother of two with DACA status, was detained after a traffic stop and held nearly three months. A federal judge ordered her released with an ankle monitor on May 21, 2026.“Yo les diría al ICE que piensen en las familias, y que se haga justicia, que frenen esta persecución injusta. Que piensen en los menores, en sus hijas y que dejen de traumatizar a familias. Mi hermana ha estado trabajando y contribuyendo con el país” — her brother, Francisco (Fernando) EnglandRio Grande Valley, TX · May 21, 2026 · Univision, CBS 42, KRGV +6
Rubeliz B.: Venezuelan doctor with work permit arrested by CBP at McAllen airportDr. Rubeliz Bolívar, a Venezuelan physician with a work permit, was detained at McAllen airport with her five-year-old daughter and held a month before a judge ordered her release on bail.Texas · May 13, 2026 · KEYT, KRGV, Telemundo +2
Meenu B.: Court interpreter held 45 days by ICE, denied food and medicationMeenu Batra, a court interpreter and single mother of four whose youngest just joined the Army, was held 45 days despite valid work authorization. A judge ordered her release, citing denied food, water and medication.Hercules, CA · May 5, 2026 · Times of India, New England Herald, Economic Times +17
Mother says ICE put her in solitary for crying over son's deathMaría de la Luz Loredo was detained in Raymondville, Texas, when she learned her 17-year-old son had died, and says she was put in solitary confinement for crying. She was separated from her four children, including a breastfeeding 1-year-old.Houston, TX · Apr 22, 2026 · Telemundo
Rubeliz B.: Venezuelan ER doctor and 5-year-old U.S. citizen daughter held by CBPDr. Rubeliz Bolívar, a 33-year-old ER resident in McAllen, Texas, was detained with her 5-year-old daughter while traveling to her asylum interview, which she missed.McAllen, TX · Apr 11, 2026 · Associated Press, American College of Emergency Physicians, Valley Central +1
Lester P.S. and Ismaray P.T.: Two Cuban pastors detained by ICE during routine immigration appointment in TexasLester Pérez Sánchez and Ismaray Paz Torres, a Cuban pastor couple who run a tire repair shop, were detained during what they thought was a routine appointment and remain held in Raymondville.Harlingen, TX · Mar 31, 2026 · CiberCuba, Cuba Headlines, KRIS TV
San Juanita G.: Green card holder, 73, with heart condition held three weeks by ICESan Juanita Guerra, 73, a longtime legal resident with heart and kidney conditions, was detained over a 1994 firearm conviction and held three weeks with limited medical care before release on bond.Edinburg, TX · Mar 2, 2026 · Valley Central, Border Report, Telemundo 40
Rubeliz B.B.: Venezuelan doctor with valid work permit held a month by ICEDr. Rubeliz Bolívar Barrios, 33, a physician with a valid work permit through 2030, was freed on bail after over a month in detention following her arrest at an airport despite valid documents.McAllen, TX · Mar 2026 · FOX RGV, KRGV, Caraota Digital +2
Johanny L.: Venezuelan asylum seeker with work authorization held by ICE at checkpointJohanny Lacruz, a Venezuelan asylum seeker with work authorization, was detained at a checkpoint despite no criminal record. Her fiancé noted a congressman freed a similarly situated teen but could not help her.Raymondville, TX · Feb 1, 2026 · Texas Tribune, Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report +1
Adolfo G.: Texas pastor shoved by ICE while driving daughters to school, deportedAdolfo Gutiérrez, a volunteer pastor and father of three who led a Texas church and ran a remodeling business, was detained while driving his daughters to school and later deported after 15 years in the state.“This man has unbelievable faith and has changed so much of my perspective in life,” — a fellow detaineeTX · Apr 4, 2025 · Newsweek, Church Leaders, La República +1
Adrian G.R.: Venezuelan TPS holder held by ICE two months, separated from 2-year-old sonAdrian Gil Rojas, a Venezuelan man with protected status, has been held for over two months, separated from his two-year-old son. He once testified in a murder trial and is now challenging his detention in court.Houston, TX · Apr 2, 2025 · CourtListener, National Law Review, Latin Times +1
Where people stood at the latest report
Each square is one percent of these stories. Read it with care: people who are still detained or already deported have far less access to reporters and lawyers than people who were released, so this mix reflects who gets covered more than how cases end.
- Deported 6%
- Still detained 59%
- Released 35%