The largest ICE detention center in the country lost track of a loaded firearm, did not provide treatment to detainees with chronic health conditions, and failed to test immigrants for tuberculosis, according to a report from the Government Accountability Office published Tuesday.Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.The investigation from the congressional watchdog found “serious performance and oversight challenges” at Camp East Montana at Fort Bliss, which is outside El Paso, Texas.In one case, evidence associated with the death of a detainee was missing or destroyed, according to the report.
That death was announced as a “presumed suicide” at the time, but later the local coroner determined it was a homicide.It is now under investigation by the FBI and the inspector general.The tented facility has had a troubled history since it opened on the Army base less than a year ago in August, starting with a fatal construction accident and three detainee deaths in less than six weeks, including the death ruled a homicide.
There have also been outbreaks of both tuberculosis and measles.The GAO said that after ICE took over contract administration responsibilities at Camp East Montana from the Army in October, it continued to not meet contractual requirements.ICE itself issued eight discrepancy reports and one oversight report for Camp East Montana that identified “serious problems” at the facility, according to the GAO.
Discrepancy reports formally document performance issues by facility operators, which are then required to propose and take corrective actions.The death of a detainee at Camp East Montana was ruled a homicide.Omar Ornelas / El Paso Times / USA Today NetworkOne of the discrepancy reports stated that in January 2026, a contracted security guard “lost their loaded firearm at the facility” and that according to an ICE official, “despite several searches of the facility, as of...