Edith Hejberg
The Pentagon has confirmed plans to build the largest federal migrant detention center in U.S. history at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.
The move marks another step in President Donald Trump’s effort to bring immigration enforcement directly into the realm of military infrastructure. Once completed, the facility will have the capacity to hold 5,000 people.
Fort Bliss to Receive First Migrants by Late August
Officials say the first 1,000 migrants will arrive at Fort Bliss between mid- and late August. Construction will then continue to expand the site into a massive, long-term detention hub.
The Pentagon has described the center as a key asset in “the deportation of illegal aliens,” with the Department of Homeland Security expected to manage daily operations.
Trump Intensifies Immigration Crackdown
Since returning to office in 2025, Trump has ramped up arrests of undocumented immigrants, tightened border controls, and revoked legal protections for hundreds of thousands of migrants.
His administration has even sent detainees to the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, though on a smaller scale than initially planned.
Not the First Time Military Bases House Migrants
While the scale of Fort Bliss is unprecedented, using military bases for migrant housing is not new.
Under President Joe Biden, the Pentagon also approved facilities in Texas for unaccompanied minors. Trump’s plan, however, focuses on high-capacity, long-term detention for adults awaiting deportation.
Additional Facilities Across the U.S.
Fort Bliss is only part of the broader expansion. The administration is also preparing to open a 1,000-bed center in Indiana, nicknamed the “Speedway Slammer.”
Together with troop deployments along the southern border, these measures are credited by the White House for a sharp drop in illegal border crossings.
Record-Breaking ICE Detention Numbers
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data shows a dramatic surge in detentions. Since July 27, roughly 57,000 people have been taken into custody, the highest numbers ever recorded in such a short period.
Trump has made immigration enforcement a central theme of his 2024 re-election platform, framing it as a national security priority.
