Detained Teen's Nightmare: Months Lost in Texas

Olivia, a 19-year-old asylum seeker from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has spent over four months detained at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas. During this period, she has lost approximately 20lbs and exhibits symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder.

Her ordeal began after her family's asylum case was denied and they attempted to seek asylum in Canada. Olivia was separated from her mother and younger siblings, experiencing multiple transfers between detention facilities, including one she described as "the fridge" due to its extreme cold. She also reported wearing shackles that left scars.

Upon arrival at Dilley, Olivia was held separately from her family. She experienced profound psychological distress, including nightmares and difficulty sleeping. The harsh environment and lack of proper care, including expired contact lens prescriptions, exacerbated her suffering.

While reunited with her family briefly at Dilley, they were later released, leaving Olivia alone and facing continued detention. Immigration officials have reportedly presented her with deportation orders, despite her having a stay of removal while her asylum case is under appeal, a process that could take up to a year.

Reports from legal services and advocacy groups document widespread due process violations and inhumane conditions at Dilley. Medical professionals have warned of "predictable, severe, and lasting harm" to those detained, particularly children. Despite these concerns, the Department of Homeland Security has denied allegations of poor conditions and stated that detention is a "choice."