Two Tuberculosis Cases Detected at El Paso ICE Facility

Eighteen COVID-19 cases also identified at the 5,000-bed detention center on Fort Bliss Army base.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Two active cases of tuberculosis and 18 cases of COVID-19 have been identified at the massive Camp East Montana immigration detention center in El Paso, Texas. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar disclosed the cases after visiting the facility, which is holding around 3,100 detainees, many with chronic illnesses.

Why it matters

The cases of airborne diseases like tuberculosis and COVID-19 have raised further concerns about the conditions at the Camp East Montana facility and other immigration detention centers, which have faced ongoing criticism over inhumane conditions, medical neglect, and detainee deaths.

The details

According to Escobar, around one-third of the 3,100 detainees at Camp East Montana have a chronic illness, and 200-300 require daily insulin. The facility, operated by the private company Acquisition Logistics LLC, has faced scrutiny over three detainee deaths in its first six months, including one ruled a homicide due to pressure on the victim's neck and chest.

  • On February 4, two cases of measles were identified at the South Texas Family Residential Center, leading to a facility lockdown.
  • On February 6, U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar visited the Camp East Montana facility and disclosed the tuberculosis and COVID-19 cases.

The players

Veronica Escobar

U.S. Representative who visited the Camp East Montana facility and disclosed the tuberculosis and COVID-19 cases.

Acquisition Logistics LLC

The private company running the Camp East Montana immigration detention facility, which has faced criticism over inhumane conditions and detainee deaths.

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What they’re saying

“Many of the chronic issues that I have reported out to the public and to members of my committee persist.”

— Veronica Escobar, U.S. Representative (X)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security is looking to build two additional large immigration detention centers in El Paso County and the Dallas area that may hold up to 9,500 people each.

The takeaway

The tuberculosis and COVID-19 cases at the Camp East Montana facility underscore the ongoing concerns about the health and safety of detainees in immigration detention centers, which have faced persistent issues with inhumane conditions, medical neglect, and detainee deaths.