Key facts
- US Representative Veronica Escobar alleges ICE blocked her from speaking with detained immigrants during an oversight visit to Camp East Montana.
- Escobar has not received requested surveillance footage of two recent disturbances at the facility.
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) disputes Escobar's claims, stating ICE facilitates meetings between members of Congress and detainees.
- Camp East Montana is the largest ICE detention center in the US, with capacity for 5,000 people.
- Two disturbances were reported at the facility in early September, involving alleged assaults on staff and damage to the facility by detainees.
- At least three people have died in ICE custody at Camp East Montana, including one death ruled a homicide.
Federal immigration officials prevented US Representative Veronica Escobar from fully conducting her congressional oversight duties at the Camp East Montana ICE tent facility, the lawmaker said. Escobar, a Democrat representing El Paso, Texas, visited the facility, the largest ICE detention center in the country, after two reported disturbances in recent weeks.
During her visit, Escobar stated she was not allowed to speak with any detained immigrants and has not received requested surveillance footage of the incidents. She described the situation as an attempt by the administration to block congressional oversight, noting that such constraints have been challenging during the second Trump administration.
Camp East Montana, a large soft-sided tent facility at the Fort Bliss military base, was hastily constructed last summer and has a capacity to hold up to 5,000 people. It has faced numerous complaints and demands for closure since opening, with allegations of abuse, mismanagement, fraud, deaths, and a homicide.
In early September, DHS reported two disturbances at the facility. The first involved detained immigrants allegedly assaulting security staff, and the second involved a larger group of detainees throwing items and disabling security cameras. Escobar, however, stated that while serious issues have occurred, there had never been a riot or a situation where the contractor lost control of the population.
The Department of Homeland Security disputed Escobar's claims, stating that ICE facilitates meetings between members of Congress and detainees if both parties agree. A DHS spokesperson said ICE is not preventing members of Congress from meeting with detainees or touring facilities.
An internal ICE inspection and a US government accountability office report have identified deficiencies at the site, including issues with guards' use of force and contract management. Escobar believes the facility should be shut down and that the private contractor running it should be held accountable for damages, rather than taxpayers.
DHS stated that Camp East Montana is undergoing upgrades and that the current contractor is providing more services and quality assurance.