U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is taking steps to close Camp East Montana, the nation’s largest immigration detention facility located in El Paso, Texas, according to internal documents and recent reports. The move comes less than eight months after the facility opened and as it grapples with a measles outbreak that has prompted a temporary closure to visitors and attorneys. The potential closure of the $1.24 billion facility raises questions about the future of immigration detention policy and the conditions within these centers.
The Washington Post first reported on the planned closure, citing an internal ICE document indicating the agency is preparing a letter to terminate its contract with Acquisition Logistics LLC, the private company operating the facility. While the document doesn’t specify a reason or timeline for the closure, the decision follows scrutiny over the facility’s conditions and a recent public health crisis. The contract between ICE and Acquisition Logistics LLC is currently set to expire on September 30, 2027, according to reports.
Measles Outbreak Prompts Facility Closure
At least 14 confirmed cases of measles have been identified at Camp East Montana, leading to isolation protocols for those infected and 112 others, according to a statement from ICE and confirmed by Representative Veronica Escobar, D-Texas. The facility is currently closed to visitors and attorneys as health officials work to contain the highly contagious virus. Rep. Escobar stated the facility is experiencing “crisis after crisis,” highlighting concerns about the well-being of detainees.
The measles outbreak is not the only issue plaguing Camp East Montana. Since opening last year, three detainees have died while in ICE custody. Victor Manuel Diaz, 36, of Nicaragua, died of a presumed suicide in January. Francisco Gaspar-Andres, 48, of Guatemala, died from complications related to cirrhosis and cardiac hypertrophy. Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, of Cuba, was the victim of a homicide, also in January.
Contract Review and Concerns Over Conditions
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed it is reviewing the contract for Camp East Montana to ensure it meets required standards. Lauren Bis, a DHS spokesperson, stated in an emailed statement that “no decisions have been made related to contract extension, termination, or award.” Bis added that ICE is “always looking at ways to improve our detention facilities to ensure we are providing the best care to illegal aliens in our custody.”
Still, critics argue the facility was inherently flawed from the start. Representative Escobar has described Camp East Montana as “the epitome of fraud, waste, [and] abuse” and has long called for its closure, citing reports of inadequate medical care. She characterized the potential closure as a positive step, stating the community must remain vigilant in its fight for humane immigration policies.
The facility, constructed rapidly on Fort Bliss, has faced criticism for its tent-like structure and concerns about its suitability for long-term detention. The speed of construction and the scale of the facility – designed to house thousands of detainees – raised questions about whether adequate resources and oversight were in place.
What’s Next for Immigration Detention in El Paso?
While DHS maintains no final decisions have been made, the documented steps toward contract termination suggest a significant shift in ICE’s approach to detention in the El Paso area. The closure of Camp East Montana would likely necessitate a reassessment of detention capacity and strategies along the southern border. The agency has not yet announced plans for alternative facilities or how it will manage the potential reduction in detention space.
The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as ICE and DHS continue their review. Readers are encouraged to share their thoughts and engage in constructive discussion about the future of immigration detention in the comments below.
