Why Hollywood is pushing to shut down a Texas detention center

A growing number of actors and artists are speaking out against a Texas facility that holds migrant children and families. Over 215, 000 people—including stars like Jodie Foster, Ben Stiller, and Ava DuVernay—have signed a petition demanding its closure. The facility, run by CoreCivic, has faced harsh criticism for years over reports of neglect, abuse, and unsanitary conditions. Recent cases highlight the problem. A five-year-old boy, Liam Conejo Ramos, was taken into custody during an ICE raid while wearing a Spider-Man backpack, sparking outrage online. Lawyers and activists describe horrific conditions: contaminated food, lack of clean water, and medical neglect. Some detainees have even been separated from their families, a practice critics call cruel and unnecessary.The petition argues that children shouldn’t be locked up like criminals. Instead, they belong in schools, playing outside, and growing up safely. Experts warn that detention can leave lasting emotional scars on young minds. The call for change isn’t just about one facility—it’s part of a bigger push to end family detention altogether. Critics say the system is broken, treating vulnerable people like prisoners. Supporters of the petition want accountability, not just apologies. They argue that keeping families in such conditions violates basic human rights.