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

A child’s voice, captured in a low-resolution video, conveyed deep distress. “I don’t want to be here anymore,” he said. “Nothing is good here.” Since early March, 9-year-old Deiver Henao Jimenez had been detained with his parents at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas. The child shared concerns about restricted schooling, persistent lighting, and questionable meals. His emotional plea reached Ms. Rachel, a beloved children’s entertainer, who connected with him via a video call.

Wearing her trademark pink headband, Accurso—Ms. Rachel’s real name—used her warm, melodic tone to console the boy. “A lot of people want to try to help,” she said. Deiver spoke of missing his friends and discomfort from the food, but what truly troubled him was the chance to attend a spelling bee in New Mexico. “I want to leave and go to the spelling bee,” he urged. Accurso emphasized his potential, noting, “You have a real gift for spelling. You’re so smart.”

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

Accurso’s awareness of Dilley began in January, following the detention of a father in Minneapolis. A photo of his 5-year-old son, Liam Conejo Ramos, wearing a blue bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack, sparked widespread attention. The image highlighted the facility’s role in holding families, with many children enduring prolonged stays. After their release, the family’s asylum request was recently denied.

In the first year of its expanded immigration policy, the Trump administration placed over 2,300 children in detention with their parents. Dilley, a remote facility, housed the majority of these cases. Detained children often faced weeks or months in custody, during which Accurso became a vocal advocate for their welfare. Her efforts extended beyond U.S. borders, focusing on children in war zones like Gaza, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Accurso’s advocacy drew both support and criticism. While she raised substantial funds for children in crisis, some critics accused her of aligning with specific global agendas. Her defense remains steadfast: “I see all children as precious and equal.” This conviction led her to prioritize Dilley’s conditions, as she recently spoke with two boys held there.

Parents and legal professionals described deteriorating health among the children. Some lost weight after discovering worms in their meals, while others grew anxious from constant surveillance. Medical emergencies were also reported during their stays. As of this week, about 50 children remain at Dilley, down from 500 in January, according to The New York Times.

Recent releases included some families sent to the U.S. and others deported. The cause for the drop in numbers is unclear, though advocates, Democratic lawmakers, and attorneys have pressured the administration. The Department of Homeland Security dismissed criticism as “mainstream media lies,” claiming Dilley offers comprehensive care tailored to families.