Full Breakdown
ICE Contractor Changes Amid Criticism of Detention Conditions
3/15/2026, 1:04:39 AM
Overview of the Contractor Change at Camp East Montana
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced the termination of Acquisition Logistics, LLC, the contractor managing its largest detention facility, Camp East Montana, located at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. This decision follows mounting scrutiny over the facility's living conditions, which detainees have described as inhumane since its opening last year. The average population at the camp is nearly 3,000 detainees, housed in six long tent encampments, where reports of overcrowding, medical neglect, malnutrition, and emotional distress have surfaced. An outbreak of measles has further exacerbated concerns, prompting calls from several Democratic members of Congress for the facility's closure.
Background on Camp East Montana
Acquisition Logistics was awarded a contract worth up to $1.3 billion to construct and manage Camp East Montana, despite lacking prior experience in operating an ICE detention facility. The company had previously never secured a federal contract exceeding $16 million. ICE has now selected Amentum Services, Inc., a firm with experience as a subcontractor at the camp, to take over operations. Amentum is expected to implement improvements in medical care and other services, although the specific reasons for the termination of Acquisition Logistics' contract have not been disclosed.
Official Statements & Responses
ICE stated that Amentum's "size, maturity and pedigree make them the right partner at the right time" to enhance operations at Camp East Montana. Representative Veronica Escobar, a Democrat from El Paso, expressed relief at the contractor change but reiterated her concerns about the chronic substandard conditions at the facility. She has called for investigations into the previous contractor's practices, labeling them as fraudulent against taxpayers.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics, including Escobar, have voiced skepticism regarding whether Amentum will indeed improve conditions. Escobar noted, “Whether the new contractor is an improvement remains to be seen,” highlighting ongoing concerns about the facility's operational standards. Additionally, Arizona's Democratic representatives have raised alarms about another planned ICE detention facility in Surprise, Arizona, which is set to be operated by GardaWorld Federal Services. They criticized the lack of transparency and the awarding of contracts to firms without detention oversight experience, emphasizing that this approach does not enhance community safety.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While ICE has conducted inspections of Camp East Montana, the findings have not been made public. Furthermore, there is uncertainty regarding the future of the facility after the initial 180-day contract with Amentum. The planned Surprise facility has also faced scrutiny, with local leaders questioning the qualifications of GardaWorld and the expedited process of converting a warehouse into a detention center.
What's Next
As ICE transitions to Amentum, the agency is expected to negotiate a no-bid contract for the management of Camp East Montana. Meanwhile, the agency plans to expand its detention capacity across the country, with proposals for new facilities that could hold significantly larger numbers of detainees. Local leaders continue to advocate for transparency and accountability in the management of these facilities.
