Human rights concerns intensify as deaths and dozens of violations cast dark shadow over conditions inside $1.24 billion immigration detention center

Texas – Human rights concerns intensify as deaths and dozens of violations cast a dark shadow over conditions inside the $1.24 billion Camp East Montana immigration detention center near El Paso, Texas, where what was once promoted as a fully equipped facility has now become the focus of growing outrage and scrutiny.

When the massive center opened on Aug. 1, 2025, federal officials presented it as a model operation. Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, stated the facility would provide “everything a traditional ICE detention facility offers.” That promise painted a picture of order, care, and structure. But months later, that image has sharply unraveled.

A congressionally required inspection conducted by ICE’s Office of Detention Oversight over three days in February revealed a troubling reality. The report identified 49 violations of national detention standards—far above the previous high of 13 violations recorded elsewhere this year. The deficiencies spanned critical areas, including use of force, security practices, medical care, and internal oversight, raising serious questions about safety inside what is the largest immigration detention center in the United States.

A Pattern of Failures and Growing Alarm

The inspection findings exposed a system struggling to meet even basic standards. According to the report, staff failed to properly document incidents involving force and restraints, including the use of handcuffs. In several cases, required written reports were never filed. Supervisors also neglected to record their observations, and some incidents were not reviewed afterward to determine whether force was used appropriately.

Even more concerning, video footage tied to certain incidents was not preserved, leaving gaps in accountability. These failures have fueled concerns that detainees may have been exposed to excessive force without proper oversight.

Medical care issues added another layer of concern. Inspectors found that a detainee showing symptoms consistent with tuberculosis—a disease that spreads through the air—was not isolated, and ICE was not notified. Additionally, detainee grievances about medical treatment were handled slowly, with response times ranging from six to 14 business days.

The report also revealed that during the time the facility was operated by Acquisition Logistics LLC, staff did not document whether they were conducting required checks aimed at preventing self-harm and suicide. The company also declined to provide staffing level information, making it impossible to determine whether enough personnel were present to maintain safety and order.

Acquisition Logistics LLC had been awarded a contract worth up to $1.3 billion to build and run the facility despite having no prior experience in this type of operation. The contractor was later replaced following mounting criticism over conditions and allegations of human rights violations.

Deaths Inside the Facility Raise Stakes

The concerns outlined in the report are not just theoretical. Since the facility opened, at least three deaths have been reported, each adding urgency to the growing criticism.

Victor Manuel Diaz, a 36-year-old Nicaraguan national, died on Jan. 14 in what authorities described as a “presumed suicide.” His death has drawn attention from legal advocates and human rights groups. Attorney Randall Kallinen, who represents Diaz’s family, delivered a harsh assessment of the inspection findings, stating, “This report is scathing. Camp East Montana gets an F.”

Kallinen warned of broader dangers within the facility, adding, “It’s very dangerous. Not only are the detainees in danger of excessive force, they are also in danger of improper or negligent medical care and mental health care, as well as danger from other detainees.”

Another death involved Geraldo Lunas Ocampos, a 55-year-old Cuban national, who died in January. His autopsy found he died from asphyxia, supporting witness claims that he was choked by agents during a struggle. A third detainee, Francisco Gaspar-Andres, a 48-year-old Venezuelan national, died in December 2025 of what ICE described as “suspected natural causes.”

These incidents have intensified calls for accountability and deeper investigation into conditions inside the facility.

Officials Clash Over Responsibility

While human rights groups and local leaders have raised alarm, federal officials have pushed back. The Department of Homeland Security has maintained that allegations of inhumane treatment are “categorically false,” even as the inspection report details a wide range of deficiencies.

U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, who represents Texas’ 16th Congressional District and has personally visited the facility, expressed frustration over the lack of improvement. She questioned whether the conditions are being allowed to persist as a form of pressure on detainees.

“ICE is completely uninterested in really creating any change or holding the contractor accountable,” she said.

Her remarks reflect a broader concern among critics that systemic issues within the facility are not being addressed despite mounting evidence.

Uncertain Path Forward

The findings from the inspection, combined with the reported deaths, have placed Camp East Montana at the center of a growing national debate over immigration detention practices. What was introduced as a high-capacity, modern solution has instead become a symbol of deeper concerns about oversight, safety, and accountability.

As scrutiny intensifies, questions remain about whether meaningful reforms will follow—or whether the conditions outlined in the report will continue to define life inside one of the country’s most controversial detention centers.