Wilco Commissioners to discuss terminating contract with ICE Hutto T. Don Detention facility

Local activists are asking Williamson County commissioners to end their contract with the T. Don Hutto Residential Center operated by ICE.

Inside the T. Don Hutto Residential center are hundreds of women detainees awaiting the outcome of their immigration status. Local non-profit, Grass Roots Leadership is currently working with 35 mothers who have been separated from their children under the Trump administration's short-lived ‘zero tolerance’ policy.

Liliana Lozada-Beverido was one of many volunteers who came to Grassroots Leadership orientation Saturday to become a mentor for detainees

"My 6-year-old I guess because of the news he asked me mom will you promise me that you will be with me forever and that broke my heart," said Lozada-Beverido. "I remember when I was not a citizen and not a resident and it was very difficult to think that maybe one day I could be deported."

Hutto's detention facility has a lengthy history of complaints.

In 2007 ACLU filed more than 20 lawsuits challenging the conditions of confinement for immigrant children and their families there. A settlement was reached and the federal government stopped housing families there, to focus solely on housing women.

Most recently grassroots leadership fought for women who say they've been sexually abused in the facility.

In 2011, Donald Dunn was arrested after being accused of groping at least eight women. Last year the group celebrated the release of a detainee who says she was facing retaliation for speaking out against sexual assault at the Hutto detention center.

The Williamson County Commissioner’s court is scheduled to consider taking action on terminating their contract with the detention center at their meeting June 26.