Nicolai Haugsted
The center has now been flagged.
Federal authorities are facing renewed scrutiny after a government watchdog identified widespread management failures at a Texas immigration detention facility established during President Donald Trump’s expanded deportation campaign.
According to Reuters, a newly released report paints a troubling picture of operations inside Camp East Montana, highlighting concerns ranging from missing records and inadequate medical care to costly contracting decisions and the handling of detainee deaths.
Oversight Failures Detailed
According to findings published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), officials uncovered what they described as “significant, pervasive issues” involving both planning and supervision at the facility.
Camp East Montana was opened in August 2025 on the grounds of Fort Bliss near El Paso as part of efforts to rapidly expand detention capacity.
Federal authorities used an accelerated military contracting process to get the center operational. That approach resulted in a contract being awarded to Acquisition Logistics LLC, a company with no previous experience managing detention facilities.
Investigators found that tens of millions of taxpayer dollars were spent through the fast-tracked contracting process.
Questions Surround Two Deaths
Among the most serious concerns were findings related to two detainee deaths that occurred in January 2026.
One death was ruled a homicide, while another was determined to be a suicide.
In the homicide case, investigators found that required reports concerning the death and the use of force were never submitted to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The watchdog report also stated that evidence connected to the incident was either missing or had been destroyed.
Problems were also identified in the suicide case.
According to investigators, staff placed the detainee in a medical holding room rather than a suicide-resistant cell and left the individual unattended for longer than facility guidelines allowed.
Medical Care Under Fire
Federal inspectors who visited the site in late 2025 found major deficiencies in healthcare services provided to detainees.
Report authors wrote:
“For example, none of the detained noncitizens with diabetes or HIV had treatment plans in place.”
Investigators said detainees suffering from chronic medical conditions were not receiving adequate care or treatment planning despite ongoing health needs.
Findings raised concerns about whether medical contractors were meeting basic standards expected at federal detention facilities.
Contractor Replaced
Management of the facility changed earlier this year after federal authorities transferred the contract from Acquisition Logistics to Amentum Services Inc.
Department of Homeland Security officials said steps were already being taken to improve conditions.
A spokesperson for the department stated:
“ICE is always looking at ways to improve [its] detention facilities”
The spokesperson added:
“Far from closing, Camp East Montana is upgrading.”
Acquisition Logistics did not immediately respond to requests for comment following publication of the report.
Detention Numbers Continue to Rise
The report arrives as immigration detention levels continue to increase nationwide.
According to sources familiar with the matter, approximately 57,000 migrants were being held in federal custody at the beginning of June, compared with roughly 40,000 when Trump returned to office in 2025.
Findings from the watchdog investigation are likely to intensify debate over how rapidly expanding detention operations are being managed as federal authorities pursue record detention numbers across the country.
