ICE report finds 60 violations in 50 days at Fort Bliss migrant facility in El Paso, Texas

ICE report finds 60 violations in 50 days at Fort Bliss migrant facility in El Paso, Texas

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A scathing report by Immigration and Customs Enforcement inspectors has put the Fort Bliss immigration detention center in the crosshairs, claiming a bevy of violations in the facility.

Camp East Montana was found to have no less than 60 violations in 50 days as plans continue for its expansion, the Washington Post reported. According to inspections legally mandated by ICE, detainees were subjected to conditions that violated at least 60 federal standards for immigrant detention.

The facility failed to properly monitor and treat some detainees’ medical conditions

Lacked basic procedures for keeping guards and detainees safe

Did not provide many detainees, for weeks, a way to contact lawyers, learn about their cases or file complaints

As of Aug. 28 following the visit by Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-TX, an estimated 1,400 detainees are being held in the facility, with the Washington Post reporting it was intended to hold up to 2,700 migrants by this point in the month and as many as 5,000 by the end of the year.

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Officials have publicly described Camp East Montana as the prototype for a new breed of large-scale holding facilities that will help ICE achieve its goal of doubling the nation’s detention capacity by the end of the year.

Efforts by the El Paso Times to reach ICE spokeswoman Leticia Zamarripa regarding violations and the current number of detainees have yielded no response, even after several weeks.

This account of Camp East Montana’s first 50 days — from when the contract was awarded to the final day of the ICE inspection on Sept. 5 — is based on internal ICE documents, an interview with detainees, interviews with individuals who have visited the site, and satellite photos showing its construction.

Acquisition Logistics LLC was selected to oversee the $1.2 billion contract for the construction and operation of the facility. The small business is registered to the Virginia home of Ken Wagner, the company’s 77-year-old owner.

The El Paso Times also contacted the company and was told they would not comment on any government contracts they currently have.

Federal law permits members of Congress to enter “any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security used to detain or otherwise house aliens.” Escobar noted she was following the agency’s own guidelines, which require seven days notice for such visits. ICE confirmed her request met that requirement, but said it was not allowing visits until “construction is complete” and did not admit her until two weeks after her initial request.

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