ICE Reevaluating Future of Largest Detention Facility

Camp East Montana in Texas faces scrutiny over deaths, outbreaks, and contractor concerns

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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The Department of Homeland Security is reviewing the future of the largest immigrant detention center in the country, Camp East Montana in Texas, just seven months after it opened. The facility has faced numerous issues, including a fatal construction accident, three detainee deaths, outbreaks of tuberculosis and measles, and concerns from contractors about housing more than 1,500 people in a single facility.

Why it matters

The potential closure of Camp East Montana would be a significant development in the ongoing debate over immigration detention policies and the treatment of detainees in the U.S. The facility's troubled history has raised questions about the government's ability to properly manage and oversee large-scale detention centers.

The details

Camp East Montana, located at the Fort Bliss army base outside El Paso, Texas, houses nearly 3,000 immigrants, the majority of whom have no criminal histories. The facility has faced numerous issues, including a fatal construction accident, three detainee deaths (one ruled a homicide), outbreaks of tuberculosis and measles, and concerns from contractors about the risks of housing more than 1,500 people in a single facility. The Department of Homeland Security is now reviewing the facility and its contract, with no decisions made yet on whether to extend, terminate, or award a new contract.

  • Camp East Montana opened in August 2025.
  • In the first six weeks of operation, three detainees died, one of which was ruled a homicide.
  • In mid-February 2026, the facility housed almost 3,000 immigrants, with 82% having no criminal histories.
  • On March 5, 2026, ICE confirmed that 14 detainees at Camp East Montana tested positive for measles.

The players

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The federal agency that oversees immigration enforcement, including the operation of immigrant detention centers.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal agency within DHS responsible for the detention and removal of immigrants.

Acquisition Logistics

A small government contractor based in Richmond, Virginia, that won a $1.2 billion contract to build and operate Camp East Montana.

Kenneth Wagner

The 77-year-old CEO of Acquisition Logistics, who appears to run the business out of his private home.

Veronica Escobar

A Democratic Congresswoman whose district includes the El Paso area and the Camp East Montana detention center.

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What they’re saying

“ICE is always looking at ways to improve our detention facilities to ensure we are providing the best care to illegal aliens in our custody.”

— ICE Spokesperson (NBC News)

“DHS undergoes rigorous audits and inspections of our facilities to ensure they are meeting our high standards. DHS is reviewing this facility and contract. No decisions have been made related to contract extension, termination, or award.”

— ICE Spokesperson (NBC News)

“We have been calling for it to be shut down from the very beginning and more so because the government has been on notice on these issues for three months.”

— Charlotte Weiss, Texas Civil Rights Project (NBC News)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security is currently reviewing the facility and contract for Camp East Montana, with no decisions made yet on whether to extend, terminate, or award a new contract for the detention center.

The takeaway

The potential closure of Camp East Montana, the largest immigrant detention facility in the country, would be a significant development in the ongoing debate over immigration detention policies and the treatment of detainees. The facility's troubled history has raised serious concerns about the government's ability to properly manage and oversee large-scale detention centers.