Unsafe Texas ICE Facility Conditions Put Immigrants at Risk 2026

Unsafe conditions at a Texas ICE facility are putting immigrants at risk of serious injury or death, according to a new lawsuit filed in federal court. The lawsuit targets Camp East Montana, a sprawling desert detention camp located on the Fort Bliss military base in west Texas, which is the largest immigration detention facility in the United States.

Attorneys and experts claim that the facility has violated dozens of official standards since it opened last year, leading to preventable deaths and ongoing hazards. The court filing, revealed by the Guardian, includes testimony from correctional and healthcare experts who describe the conditions as shocking and far below acceptable standards.

What Is Camp East Montana?

Camp East Montana is a tent jail operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on the Fort Bliss military base. It houses thousands of immigrants, the majority of whom have no criminal records and are awaiting civil immigration proceedings. Despite being a civil detention facility, experts say its conditions are worse than those of maximum-security prisons.

The facility has been plagued by reports of inadequate healthcare, unsafe infrastructure, and extreme weather exposure. These issues have persisted despite warnings from government watchdogs and internal reports.

Expert Testimony Highlights Severe Risks

Dean Williams, a correctional expert who has run two state prison systems, stated in his testimony that the conditions at Camp East Montana “shock the conscience” and are “far beyond those of the most secure prisons I have overseen.” He emphasized that the facility is a civil detention center, not a criminal prison, yet it subjects detainees to inhumane treatment.

Dr. Jeffrey Keller, a physician and administrator who has managed healthcare for detention centers in nine states, added, “Poor healthcare and unsafe conditions at Camp East Montana have resulted in preventable death and put all people at risk of harm, including serious injury and death.”

Key Hazards at the Facility

The lawsuit outlines numerous hazards that detainees face daily. These include:

• Inadequate medical care: Delays in treatment and lack of qualified staff lead to untreated illnesses and preventable deaths.
• Unsafe infrastructure: Tents and temporary structures are vulnerable to extreme weather, including desert heat and cold snaps.
• Poor sanitation: Overcrowding and insufficient hygiene facilities increase the risk of disease outbreaks.
• Lack of safety protocols: Insufficient security measures and training put detainees at risk of violence and accidents.
• Mental health neglect: Detainees suffer from psychological distress without adequate support.

These conditions violate multiple official standards, including those set by ICE and the Department of Homeland Security.

Comparison of Conditions: Camp East Montana vs. Standard Prisons

As the table shows, Camp East Montana falls far short of even the basic standards of a maximum-security prison, despite holding civil detainees.

Legal Battle and Next Steps

The lawsuit, filed in the western district of Texas, El Paso, seeks to force ICE to improve conditions or close the facility. Attorneys argue that the ongoing hazards violate detainees' constitutional rights and international human rights standards. The case is part of a broader effort to reform the U.S. immigration detention system, which has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years.

Advocates hope that the court will intervene to protect vulnerable immigrants from further harm. The government has not yet responded to the filing.

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