Disturbing Conditions Reported at ICE's Largest Detention Camp

911 calls and interviews reveal medical neglect, overcrowding, and emotional distress at Camp East Montana in Texas

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Serious medical and mental health emergencies have been routine at the nation's largest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility since its opening in August, according to records obtained by The Associated Press. Data from over 100 911 calls, interviews, and court filings paint a disturbing picture of overcrowding, medical neglect, malnutrition, and emotional distress at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas.

Why it matters

The conditions at this large ICE detention facility raise serious concerns about the treatment of detainees and the oversight of private contractors operating these facilities. The high number of 911 calls, reports of attempted suicides, and deaths highlight the urgent need to address the systemic issues within the immigration detention system.

The details

Current and former detainees describe Camp East Montana as a chaotic and unsanitary facility where about 3,000 people have lived per day. They say detainees struggle to obtain healthcare as disease spreads, lose weight due to lack of food, and fear security guards known to use force. The data shows the camp averaged nearly one 911 call per day in its first five months, with emergencies ranging from assaults to attempted suicides. At least two detainees have died, including one ruled a homicide by asphyxiation. An inspection reportedly found over 60 federal standards violations, but the results have not been released.

  • Camp East Montana opened in mid-August 2025.
  • In the first five months of operation, the camp made nearly one 911 call per day.
  • On January 3, 2026, a 55-year-old Cuban man died after security guards used force to restrain him.
  • On January 14, 2026, a 36-year-old Nicaraguan man died by suicide days after being detained in Minnesota.

The players

Camp East Montana

The largest U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility, located in El Paso, Texas.

Geraldo Lunas Campos

A 55-year-old Cuban man who died after security guards used force to restrain him on January 3, 2026.

Veronica Escobar

A U.S. Representative from El Paso, Texas, who has called for the closure of Camp East Montana and an investigation into the contractor operating the facility.

Acquisition Logistics LLC

The contractor awarded a $1.3 billion contract to build and operate Camp East Montana, which Rep. Escobar says is not delivering services paid for by taxpayers.

Owen Ramsingh

A former property manager from Columbia, Missouri, who spent several weeks at Camp East Montana before being deported to the Netherlands.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Every day felt like a week. Every week felt like a month. Every month felt like a year. Camp East Montana was 1,000% worse than a prison.”

— Owen Ramsingh, Former Detainee

“This facility should not be operational. It feels like this contractor is reinventing the wheel, and people are losing their lives in their experiment.”

— Veronica Escobar, U.S. Representative

What’s next

Rep. Escobar has called for an investigation into the contractor Acquisition Logistics LLC and the conditions at Camp East Montana. The Department of Homeland Security has said an inspection was recently completed, but the results have not been made public.

The takeaway

The disturbing reports from Camp East Montana highlight the urgent need for greater oversight and accountability within the immigration detention system. The high number of medical emergencies, suicide attempts, and deaths raise serious concerns about the treatment of detainees and the ability of private contractors to properly operate these facilities.