Dozens of Safety Violations Found at Largest ICE Detention Center

Inspectors uncover issues with use of force, medical care, and suicide prevention at Camp East Montana facility in Texas.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:25pm

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A moody, cinematic painting of an empty, dimly lit hallway in an institutional setting, with a single metal door at the end casting a long, dramatic shadow, conveying a sense of isolation and lack of oversight.The inspection report exposes troubling conditions and lax oversight at one of the country's largest immigration detention facilities.El Paso Today

A recent internal inspection by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) found 49 safety and security deficiencies at the country's largest migrant detention center, Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas. The violations included failures to properly document use of force incidents, provide medical exams after altercations, and isolate and report a detainee showing symptoms of tuberculosis. The report also found issues with the facility's suicide prevention protocols.

Why it matters

The inspection findings raise ongoing concerns about the treatment of detainees at the $1.2 billion facility, which has seen three deaths since opening in 2025. The report comes amid broader scrutiny of the Trump administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies and the conditions at ICE detention centers across the country.

The details

Inspectors with ICE's Office of Detention Oversight found 49 total deficiencies during their three-day visit to Camp East Montana. Of those, 22 violations involved 'use of force and restraints,' including failing to document incidents, provide medical exams, and record events on video. The report also identified four 'priority' issues in the facility's medical department, such as the failure to isolate a detainee showing TB symptoms and notify ICE leadership of the potential health risk.

  • The inspection took place over a three-day period in early 2026.
  • The $1.2 billion Camp East Montana facility opened in 2025.

The players

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, including operating the network of migrant detention centers across the United States.

Camp East Montana

The largest migrant detention center in the country, located in El Paso, Texas, that has faced scrutiny over safety and medical issues since opening in 2025.

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What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has said it is hiring a new contractor to manage the Camp East Montana facility and implement a 'precise quality assurance surveillance plan' to provide more oversight.

The takeaway

This inspection report highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring humane and lawful conditions at ICE detention centers, even at the largest and newest facilities. The findings underscore the need for rigorous oversight and accountability to protect the rights and wellbeing of detainees, many of whom are asylum seekers or have not been convicted of crimes.