Children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel has a new cause: Freeing kids from ICE detention

Children’s entertainer Ms. Rachel has a new cause: Freeing kids from ICE detention

Deiver Henao Jimenez, a 9-year-old boy, spoke with a sense of despair during a video call. “I don’t want to be here anymore,” he said. “Nothing is good here.” Since March, he had been detained with his parents at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas. The facility, known for its harsh conditions, has been criticized for issues like insufficient education, constant lighting, and unappetizing meals. This week, Deiver shared his concerns with Ms. Rachel, a beloved children’s entertainer who has now turned her attention to advocating for detained minors.

Wearing her trademark pink headband, Ms. Rachel leaned into the screen, attempting to ease the boy’s anxiety. “Oh, I’m so sorry,” she said, her voice warm and melodic, a sound many children recognize. “A lot of people want to help.” Deiver mentioned missing his friends and that the food at Dilley made him feel unwell. However, the most troubling detail he provided was his recent spelling bee success. Before being detained, he had won his school competition and placed third in regionals, qualifying for New Mexico’s state event in May. “I want to leave and go to the spelling bee,” he said, revealing the urgency behind his plea.

“It was unbelievably surreal to see this sweet little face and feel like I was on a call with somebody who’s in jail,” Ms. Rachel, whose real name is Rachel Accurso, told NBC News in an exclusive interview. “It broke me, and it was something I never thought I’d encounter in life.”

Accurso first became aware of Dilley after federal agents detained Liam Conejo Ramos’s father in Minneapolis. The 5-year-old boy, whose photo of him wearing a blue bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack went viral, drew public attention to the facility. Though the family was eventually released, their asylum request was denied. The incident sparked Accurso’s interest in the treatment of children in immigration detention, leading her to focus on the issue through her platform.

Under the Trump administration, over 2,300 children were detained with their parents in the first year of its intensified immigration enforcement. Most of these cases were handled at Dilley, according to court-appointed monitors. Many of the children remained in custody for weeks or even months, enduring challenges like poor nutrition and medical delays. Parents and legal representatives have reported instances of children losing weight, experiencing anxiety from frequent patrols, and waiting hours for basic medication. Some have required emergency care while held at the center.

Accurso’s advocacy extends beyond Dilley. She has highlighted the struggles of children in conflict zones such as Gaza, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, raising substantial funds. Her efforts, however, have faced criticism from those who argue she takes sides in international disputes. Despite this, she maintains a consistent belief: “I see all children as precious and equal.” After speaking with Deiver and another child detained at Dilley, she announced a new initiative to support families in the U.S. and work with legal experts to “close Dilley and ensure kids and their parents return to their communities.”

Recent reports indicate a significant drop in the number of children at Dilley. While 500 were held in January, only about 50 remain this week, according to The New York Times. The decline follows sustained pressure from human rights groups, Democratic lawmakers, and immigration attorneys. Despite this, the Department of Homeland Security has dismissed allegations of poor conditions, calling them “mainstream media lies.” The agency claims Dilley offers comprehensive care tailored to the needs of families.