Feb 2, 2026, 12:19 p.mFeb 2, 2026, 12:19 p.m
Measles has been detected at a US immigration enforcement agency (ICE) detention center in South Texas. After two confirmed infections, several migrants were quarantined, the Department of Homeland Security told CBS and other US media.
Accordingly, it is a facility in which parents and children are detained for suspected violations of immigration laws.
The ministry said that “any movement” in the facility was prohibited. What this actually means for the prisoners and how long the measure should remain in place was initially unclear. The infections were discovered on Friday.
Measles is one of the most contagious infectious diseases and can be life-threatening in extreme cases. You can become infected with measles viruses through droplets of saliva in the air.
Lawyer: Measles must not be used as an excuse
The facility in the town of Dilley recently hit the headlines because of the detention of a five-year-old. He and his father were picked up around two weeks ago during a raid in the state of Minnesota and taken into custody. After a court decision, the two were released on Sunday.
Lawyer Neha Desai, who advocates for children in custody, told CBS that the measles should not be used as an excuse to deny her and her colleagues access to the facility. (hkl/sda/dpa)