The filings, tied to long-running litigation over migrant child detention standards, detail conditions at the Dilley detention facility, where children and families faced virus outbreaks and extended lockdowns in December and January.

Lawyers and monitors said conditions remained concerning even as the number of detained children declined in recent weeks.Under standards stemming from the Flores settlement, children are generally not to be held in custody for more than 20 days.

However, government data cited in the filings showed that about 595 children were detained beyond that limit during December and January.Of those, approximately 265 were held for more than 50 days and 55 for over 100 days, according to the documents.

This marked an increase from a prior disclosure indicating around 400 children exceeded the limit between August and September.Lawyers argued that prolonged detention, combined with reported deficiencies in care, risked worsening physical and psychological harm among minors.

Attorneys and advocacy groups cited cases of inadequate medical treatment, poor food quality and limited access to legal counsel. One filing described a 13-year-old girl who attempted self-harm after being denied prescribed antidepressants and access to her mother.

Government records referenced in the filings stated there had been no placements on suicide watch.Advocates who visited the facility in March said that while the number of detained children had dropped to about 85, systemic issues persisted. Reports also cited the presence of worms in food and insufficient healthcare access.

The case of a young child detained earlier this year drew protests, including demonstrations by detainees within the facility.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that detention standards provide for basic necessities, including adequate food and water, and described detention as a consequence of migration choices.

It added that authorities were working to expedite deportations.The administration of Donald Trump is seeking to end the Flores settlement, arguing it constrains enforcement and imposes costs.

The case is being overseen by Dolly Gee of the Central District of California, with a hearing scheduled later this month to review compliance and conditions.

A “Notice to Appear” (NTA) was sent by ICE, marking the initial phase of a deportation process. The email, reportedly received by Taal’s legal team on Friday, invited him to present himself at the Homeland Security Investigations Office in Syracuse at a mutually agreed time for formal service of the NTA and surrender to ICE custody.

Taal’s attorneys have strongly condemned the development, labeling it an attack on free speech. They emphasized that their client had already taken legal action to prevent the deportation of foreign protesters, highlighting concerns over political retaliation. Taal has also claimed he was doxxed for his activism.

This move aligns with President Donald Trump’s hardline stance on foreign pro-Hamas demonstrators. Trump has previously vowed to deport such protesters, asserting they support Hamas and hold antisemitic views. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, reject this characterization, arguing that their advocacy for Palestinian rights is distinct from support for Hamas or antisemitism.

Taal was previously disciplined by Cornell University after he and other activists disrupted a career fair that included defense industry recruiters. Following this incident, he was ordered to continue his studies remotely.

ICE has not provided a timeline for Taal’s potential deportation and has yet to issue an official comment.

Taal’s case is not an isolated one. Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student, was arrested earlier this month and is challenging his detention. Trump has publicly accused Khalil, without evidence, of supporting Hamas. Similarly, Badar Khan Suri, an Indian student at Georgetown University, was detained this week. His lawyer has denied any connection to Hamas, and a federal judge has temporarily blocked his deportation.

The administration’s intensified deportation efforts have drawn widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, which argue that these actions infringe upon free speech and the right to protest. The legal battles surrounding these cases are expected to continue as advocacy groups rally in support of the affected students.