ICE Replaces Contractor at Largest Detention Camp After Scrutiny of Living Conditions

The new contractor, Amentum Services, Inc., will work to improve medical care and other services at the facility.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:51pm

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is terminating the contract of Acquisition Logistics, LLC, the contractor running its largest detention facility, Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas. ICE has selected Amentum Services, Inc., which has worked as a subcontractor at the camp, as the new prime contractor. The move comes amid scrutiny over living conditions at the camp, which detainees have described as inhumane, including overcrowding, medical neglect, malnutrition, and emotional distress.

Why it matters

The change in contractors at the largest ICE detention facility highlights ongoing concerns about the treatment of detainees and the ability of private contractors to properly manage these facilities. The decision to replace the original contractor, which had no prior experience running an ICE detention center, reflects the pressure ICE is facing to improve conditions at its detention camps.

The details

Acquisition Logistics, LLC, the ousted prime contractor, had been awarded a deal last year worth up to $1.3 billion to build and manage Camp East Montana, but had no prior experience running an ICE detention facility. The new contractor, Amentum Services, Inc., is known for its work with the military and intelligence agencies and is expected to implement higher standards of medical care, more thorough case processing and intake procedures, and improved accountability measures.

  • Camp East Montana opened in 2025.
  • In the first five months of operation, there were at least 130 calls to 911 from the camp, including two deaths, several suicide attempts, fights, and medical emergencies.
  • ICE recently completed an inspection of conditions at Camp East Montana, but the findings have not been made public.

The players

Acquisition Logistics, LLC

The previous prime contractor for Camp East Montana, which had no prior experience running an ICE detention facility.

Amentum Services, Inc.

The new prime contractor selected by ICE to take over operations at Camp East Montana, known for its work with the military and intelligence agencies.

Rep. Veronica Escobar

A Democratic member of Congress whose district includes Camp East Montana, who has called for the facility to be shut down and for the contractors involved to be investigated.

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What they’re saying

“Whether the new contractor is an improvement remains to be seen, and I remain deeply concerned about the chronic substandard conditions that exist at Camp East Montana.”

— Rep. Veronica Escobar, U.S. Representative

“Amentum's size, maturity and pedigree make them the right partner at the right time. We will work closely with them in their implementation of higher standards of medical care, more thorough case processing and intake procedures, and delivery of performance requirements according to well-defined accountability measures.”

— ICE Spokesperson

What’s next

The new contract with Amentum Services, Inc. is set to last 180 days, and it's unclear what will happen to Camp East Montana after that period.

The takeaway

The replacement of the contractor at the largest ICE detention facility highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring proper living conditions and medical care for detainees. The decision to bring in a more experienced contractor reflects the pressure on ICE to address the chronic issues at these facilities, but the long-term solution remains uncertain.