Rising Deaths at ICE's Camp East Montana: A Call for Accountability

The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center at Camp East Montana, located on the grounds of Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, has become a focal point of concern due to a significant rise in detainee deaths. Opened in August 2025, this facility is currently the largest immigrant detention center in the United States and has recorded three deaths among the 25 fatalities in ICE custody since October 2025. Advocates and lawmakers are raising alarms about the facility's management and conditions.

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Reports from former detainees highlight severe issues within Camp East Montana. Owen Ramsingh, who was detained for over four months, described the living conditions as "horrible," citing inadequate food, poor sanitation, and mental health crises among detainees. He recounted witnessing a detainee collapse and claimed that guards made light of the situation, even betting on which detainee might die by suicide. Other detainees reported losing significant weight due to inadequate nutrition and experiencing medical neglect, with staff often dismissing health complaints.

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The facility has been criticized for failing to meet detention standards, with ICE inspectors identifying 49 violations in February, including inadequate medical care and poor documentation of mental health checks. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) reported alarming conditions, including coercion and physical force against detainees.

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The deaths of Francisco Gaspar-Andres and Geraldo Luna Campos have raised further concerns. Gaspar-Andres died from kidney failure after being hospitalized, while Campos's death was ruled a homicide due to asphyxia, contradicting initial claims of medical distress. The family of Victor Manuel Diaz, who died by suicide, disputes the circumstances of his death, raising questions about the facility's mental health protocols.

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The facility was initially managed by Acquisition Logistics LLC, a company with no prior experience in running detention centers, which secured a $1.3 billion contract. Following widespread criticism, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) replaced Acquisition Logistics with Amentum Services, a subcontractor, in March 2026. DHS claims that the new contract will enhance medical care and oversight at the facility.

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Congresswoman Veronica Escobar has called for an investigation into Acquisition Logistics, labeling the situation as "very troubling" and emphasizing the need for accountability regarding taxpayer dollars.

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Immigrant rights activists and members of Congress are demanding the closure of Camp East Montana, citing the facility's poor conditions and management failures. Escobar has stated that merely changing contractors is insufficient and that a thorough investigation is necessary. Advocates argue that the facility's operations reflect a broader systemic issue within ICE's detention practices.

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The situation at Camp East Montana underscores significant concerns regarding the treatment of detainees in ICE facilities. As deaths continue to rise and reports of mistreatment emerge, the call for accountability and reform within the immigration detention system grows louder. The future of the facility remains uncertain as advocates push for its closure and a reevaluation of immigration detention policies.

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