I have just seen the footage of the vigil and applaud the local coverage of this very famous detention center. The largest facility in the country it was built in record time. But they can't get enough people to staff it. Ask why. To say go get another job is unfair- where are the jobs in the Valley? This has a direct impact on how we treat detainees who are often mistreated or ignored. As for medical care- it may be lacking because there aren't enough people to work there either. Ask why. Also ask why there are no enforceable standards for immigration detention centers. If we lock people up we have to assume responsiliblity for them, and so far across the board this country doesn't do well for people who stay in any prison or jail, but immigration centers are even more vulnerable. Most have come to make it better for their families. And many have also been here most of their lives, including some of our own families and neighbors.

Ricardo Castillo…”it’s a free world”?...since when? Let me guess…you use your education background to belittle those without. If you really want to nitpick, you should use spell check! Look, the topic is…should the detention center be closed? People die in hospitals. Who’s protesting to shut hospitals down? 100 detainees have died in ICE FACILITIES. How many were in Raymondville? It’s TRAGIC? That’s a bit farfetched. Poor medical? How many of the detainees actually go to a medical provider in the “free world”? Bottom line….there are always TWO sides to every story. Channel 4 didn’t even bother to interview the detention center or ICE in this piece.

These people are here illeagle. They are criminals.

The detainees recieve free medical,dential. commaceries. Three meals a day. Yet in our country we have low income families that can't affort any medical assisstence.Try protesting that. The detainees claim their being miss treated on the contrary the officers are the one's being miss treated by them.To the protesters try walking in our shoe's before you protest.

All these protesters should sign a petition and claim responsibilty for all these inmates, house them in their owns homes and feed them from their own kitchens since they care so much about them so much.

LOL

Just want to say that that I think more people should stand up for their rights more often and not settle for prison complex jobs. I don't think any human being is illegal. We are all God's children. It is good that these groups came to the Valley. However, the local aspect needed to be covered if there was local participation as well. We here in the Valley are especially impacted by these detention centers. The create jobs, yes, but at the cost of denying other people basic human rights. I was happy to see the ACLU was down here. If you google the Willacy County Detention Center you will find a slew of articles on the curruption and horrible conditions that have persisted. These are not opinions. They are facts.

It is very sad that these conditions exist. We are all human. The facility grew under the shadow of corruption from bribary to make this happen. Politicians created a prison business in our community and although we need jobs we should not be expected to take whatever they give us. I wish the local residents present at the protest had been interviewed as well. The detention facility has been a plague for long enough. We deserve better.

I dont know what this Bob guy is talking about when he mentions immigrant deaths, but if it wasnt for Homeland Security there would be thousands of deaths due to heat exhaustion, dehydration etc. So dont blame DHS, better yet thank them, and maybe think before we speak.

Regardless if theiy are illegal aliens, criminals of some nature. They dont deserve to be mistreated. They are human beings like you and I. I believe they should be processed quickly and sent to their country.

My worry is about all the companies that come down to the valley and exploit folks from the valley. They know jobs are few and far between and take advantage of our situation. I have some friends that have worked out there at the camps. Some company contracted to the govt and the company gets big bucks but pays peanuts in return. On top of that they want perfect credit and backgrounds for peanuts. I know it is rough but I say everyone just quit from there and let them see how they run the place.. The company men like the wardens etc....Yea they are making the money so let them do it. You guys should just all call in sick one day.

Hey Tent Officer, stop crying! You are there because you applied for that job, not bacause you were forced to do it. Be greatful to God that you at least have a job! Peolple from the RGV Valley, the illegal detained there are criminal aliens; rapist, murderers, molesters, thieves, etc.... Be careful what you complain about and ask for!

why in the heck the security lying i was one myself and they threat the inmates like crap, like if they were dogs, they are human beings just like everyone else i know they are there for a reason but doesn't give the securities the right to treat them like such. and if the securities don't like their job or are complaining then look for another job like i did. bottom line. another thing they do get three meals a day but WITH EXPIRATION DATES come one LETS BE REALISTIC.

These people are criminals and illegals. We really don't want these type of people in this country. So what, we are suppose to cater and pamper them!? Now can people understand why the WALL is important!!

Its fairly apparent by reviewing MB Sebastion's comments that he is functionally illiterate and probably doesn't even deserve the $9.18 he is paid. If he doesnt like it, leave...its a free world. I am sure Walmart has an opening.

Send the detainees back to the country. We don't need to be treating them to 3 meals a day and shelter.

I have been working in corrections for 14 years and in all the years its been the same. The detainees whine about everything just to get their way. All the protesters do not know what's going on within the walls of this unit.These people commited a crime and they have to pay for it. you can't do the time, don't do the crime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This detianees are treated better then the own security officers that work in there. Ice and MTC have been lying to us about giving a raise all they do is just give us officers more and more rules to follows and no raise all they say it's coming next payday and ut never get here it's all Bunch of lies startin with the main person in charge of us officers. For 9.18 an hours it ain't worst it all the bs we have to put up with the detianees. I hope are wardens read this comment maybe they can speak up for there officers wish I find it hard to believe. Us officers have to work out in the hot sun 12 hours a day with sometimes not even a lunch break we the ones not been treated right also we can't even take drinks or food to eat in there

The circumstances you describe in this story are not indicative of the actual practices and living conditions of this facility. I know the most effective way to draw attention to an issue is to exaggerate it, and it seems the protestors are either using this method, or are really unaware of what goes on in these walls. Feel free to contact the facility and get some real information, rather than listening to the wild accusations of the uninformed.
Above all, remember: the people housed at this facility are there because they broke immigration laws. We should treat them with decency, but they are criminals.

These detainees get three meals a day, free health and dental care, a bed in an airconditioned room, cable tv......How many homeless, unemployed, hungry people with no heathcare do we have in our own country....Why don't you protest that....These people aren't in there because they are illegals...they are in there because they are illegals that have committed a crime.....

I think that you should have interview the Valley residents who were present at the vigil. It is great the ACLU and Grassroots leadership came but did Channel 4, Ryan Wolf, not interview those of us Valley residents present at the Vigil? The event was also sponsored by the Southwest Workers' Union and this should have been covered in you story. We are part of the community and directly impacted by this facility. I am dissappointed that Channel 4 did not tell the whole story.