Rachel Accurso, the beloved children’s entertainer known globally as Ms. Rachel, has launched a high-profile campaign to shutter the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas.
In an emotional interview with NBC News on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, Accurso revealed she is working with lawyers and activists to end the detention of children and parents at the facility.
“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 remarked after a video call with a 9-year-old detainee._ _“It broke me.”
The advocacy currently stands as a primary flashpoint in the national debate over immigration enforcement.
Its primary mandate involves addressing reports of "moldy food" and limited education at the Dilley center, where more than 2,300 children have reportedly been held amid a federal crackdown.
Accurso, dressed in her signature trademark outfit during the calls, was moved to action after learning of a 5-year-old from Minneapolis who was sent to the facility. “We’re trying to get a child out of a jail to do a spelling bee,”_ _she noted.
“I just never thought those words would go together.”
The campaign will also absorb and expand upon the ongoing backlash Accurso has faced for her vocal stance on global issues.
A critical component of the controversy involves her previous advocacy for children in Gaza, which led to accusations of bias and even threats against her family.
Despite the "surreal" nature of the criticism, Accurso remains firm in her mission.
One analyst cited the "unpredictable intersection" of toddler entertainment and geopolitics as the primary reason for the intense public scrutiny she now navigates.
One of the most immediate challenges for Accurso is balancing her role as a "singing educator" with her identity as a political activist.
Observers cited the "intense polarization" of her audience as the primary reason for the threats she has received.
“I am political,” Accurso told news outlets, defending her stance.
“It’s political to believe that children are worthy of love and care... and that our care shouldn’t stop at what we look like, our family, at our religion, at a border.”
The establishment of this fight against ICE follows Accurso’s massive success on YouTube and Netflix, giving her a platform of millions.
While her critics argue a children's entertainer should remain neutral, the emphasis remains on her belief that "every child is equal." Director-level activists pledged to support Accurso’s efforts to return detained families to their communities.
As the debate over the Dilley facility intensifies, the question remains: “How will this shift in her public image affect the future of 'Toddler Learning' media?”, a question that will likely persist as she continues to advocate for youth caught in the crosshairs of federal policy.