Inspectors find dozens of safety violations at largest ICE detention center
An internal inspection report by Immigration and Customs Enforcement found dozens of safety and security violations at the country's largest migrant detention center during a recent visit.
Inspectors with ICE's Office of Detention Oversight found 49 deficiencies at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, during a three-day visit.
Of those, 22 violations involved "use of force and restraints," and included failing to document incidents, failing to provide medical exams after physical altercations, and failing to record incidents on video.
The report, however, said that none of the 49 detainees inspectors randomly interviewed made allegations of discrimination, mistreatment, or abuse.
The federal inspection of the facility, which opened in 2025, comes amid concerns from lawmakers and immigrant advocates about the treatment of detainees being held there as part of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration crackdown.
Three people have died at the $1.2 billion facility, including a Cuban immigrant whose death was ruled a homicide by the local medical examiner. In a statement in January, the DHS said the detainee was pronounced dead after "experiencing medical distress."
A spokesperson with the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, said that ICE has recently hired a new contractor and is "always looking at ways to improve our detention facilities to ensure we are providing the best care to illegal aliens in our custody."
"This new contractor will allow Camp East Montana to continue abiding by the highest detention standards WITH the ability to provide MORE medical care on-site," the statement said. "This contract also allows more on-site staff and a PRECISE quality assurance surveillance plan. ICE will have even more oversight of the contractors at this facility."
The inspection report, released this week, identified four "priority" deficiencies within the facility's medical department, including multiple failures to properly isolate and notify leadership regarding a detainee showing symptoms of pulmonary tuberculosis.
Inspectors found that a detainee showing symptoms of TB was not isolated, posing a potential risk to others. According to the report, the facility failed to notify ICE leadership of the medical risk.
Inspectors also found that staff at the facility did not document whether they were conducting required checks to prevent self-harm and suicide among detainees. At least one of the detainees who died is presumed to have died by suicide.
"ICE will continue to ensure that all of the detainees in our custody receive the level of care, service, and medical support they need to match our high detention standards," the DHS statement said.
