No detainee abuse at Texas ICE hub: Probe
A federal investigation into the largest ICE detention facility in Texas found no evidence of detainee mistreatment, though inspectors identified 49 safety and security violations. The inspection of Camp East Montana in El Paso revealed 22 use-of-force and restraint issues, including failure to document incidents. None of the 49 randomly interviewed detainees reported discrimination or abuse. ICE has hired a new contractor to address deficiencies at the $1.2 billion facility.
A federal government probe into the largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Texas has concluded that there is no evidence of mistreatment of detainees at the facility, according to media reports released Friday. However, the internal inspection did uncover dozens of safety and security violations at the controversial El Paso facility.
The inspection report, which was made public this week, identified a total of 49 deficiencies at Camp East Montana during a three-day federal review. Among these, 22 violations were categorized under "use of force and restraints" and included failures to document incidents, provide medical examinations after physical altercations, and properly record events on video surveillance.
Detainees report no abuse despite violations
Despite the documented safety lapses, the report noted that none of the 49 detainees randomly selected for interviews by federal inspectors made any allegations of discrimination, mistreatment, or abuse. The facility, which opened in 2025, has been the subject of scrutiny from lawmakers and immigrant advocacy groups amid the Trump administration's intensified crackdown on illegal immigration.
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DHS responds with new contractor, oversight
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which oversees ICE, announced that the agency has recently hired a new contractor to manage the Texas facility. DHS officials stated that the agency is "always looking at ways to improve our detention facilities to ensure we are providing the best care to illegal aliens in our custody." The new contract, officials said, will allow Camp East Montana to maintain high detention standards while providing more on-site medical care, additional staff, and a precise quality assurance surveillance plan.
Three deaths at facility amid ongoing concerns
The federal inspection comes amid heightened concerns over conditions at the $1.2 billion facility, where three detainees have died. Among them was a Cuban immigrant whose death was ruled a homicide by the local medical examiner. DHS officials said the agency is actively working to address and rectify the identified problems to ensure the safe and humane treatment of all detainees. "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," department officials added.
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