New Contractor Takes Over Largest Migrant Facility in U.S.

ICE announces Amentum will manage Camp East Montana in El Paso amid calls for closure over detainee deaths and conditions.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 2:35am

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The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced that a new contractor, Amentum, will take over management of Camp East Montana, the largest migrant detention facility in the nation. The facility in El Paso, Texas has faced intense scrutiny and calls for closure after three detainee deaths and concerns over medical care, case processing, and overall conditions at the site.

Why it matters

The change in contractor at Camp East Montana comes amid growing pressure from lawmakers, advocates, and local residents to shut down the facility due to the deaths of detainees and poor conditions. The facility's operation under a new contractor will be closely watched to see if it leads to improvements in medical care, case processing, and overall standards of treatment for the migrants held there.

The details

ICE stated that Amentum was selected as the new prime government contractor for Camp East Montana due to the company's "size, maturity and pedigree." The agency said Amentum will be tasked with implementing "higher standards of medical care, more thorough case processing and intake procedures, and delivery of performance requirements according to well-defined accountability measures." The facility has faced intense scrutiny since opening, with three detainee deaths in its first six months of operation. The deaths of Francisco Gaspar-Andres, Geraldo Lunas Camps, and Victor Manuel Diaz have led to calls for the facility's closure from Democratic members of Congress, local leaders, and advocacy groups.

  • Camp East Montana opened in late 2025.
  • Three detainee deaths occurred at the facility in the first six months of 2026.
  • On March 3, 2026, a measles outbreak with 14 confirmed cases was reported at the facility.
  • ICE announced the new contractor, Amentum, would take over management of Camp East Montana in March 2026.

The players

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency that oversees immigration detention facilities like Camp East Montana.

Amentum

The new government contractor selected by ICE to manage the Camp East Montana migrant detention facility.

Veronica Escobar

U.S. Representative for Texas's 16th congressional district, where Camp East Montana is located, who has called for the facility's closure.

Mark Seitz

El Paso Catholic Bishop who issued a pastoral letter condemning the "mass detention and deportations" represented by facilities like Camp East Montana.

Francisco Gaspar-Andres, Geraldo Lunas Camps, and Victor Manuel Diaz

Detainees who died at Camp East Montana in the first six months of the facility's operation.

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What they’re saying

“Camp East Montana was constructed in a matter of weeks and opened before construction was complete, and it does not have enough federal staff on-site to provide adequate oversight.”

— Veronica Escobar, U.S. Representative

“For these reasons, I must make clear, the current national campaign of mass detention and deportations is a grave moral evil, one which must be opposed, with prayer, peaceful action and acts of solidarity with those affected.”

— Mark Seitz, El Paso Catholic Bishop

What’s next

ICE stated it will work closely with Amentum to ensure the new contractor implements higher standards of medical care, more thorough case processing, and greater accountability at Camp East Montana.

The takeaway

The change in contractor at the largest migrant detention facility in the U.S. comes amid intense scrutiny and calls for closure over detainee deaths and poor conditions. The new management by Amentum will be closely watched to see if it leads to meaningful improvements in the treatment and care of the migrants held at Camp East Montana.