GAO Report Flags Safety, Waste Issues at Texas ICE Facility
GAO finds serious safety, medical, and financial issues at Camp East Montana ICE facility.
Why it matters: Legal and compliance teams must understand these findings as they highlight detainee risks and agency policy violations affecting detention oversight.
- Camp East Montana opened August 2025 near Fort Bliss, Texas, with $1.3B budget and 5,000-bed capacity.
- GAO report details three detainee deaths within six months, including one ruled homicide after initial suicide classification.
- Facility lacked key security cameras, outdoor recreation, adequate visitation space, and had deficient medical care for serious conditions.
- GAO found millions in waste on unneeded meals and staff; contractor replaced in April 2026 due to management failures.
Camp East Montana, the largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center, opened in August 2025 with a $1.3 billion budget near Fort Bliss, Texas, designed to hold up to 5,000 detainees. A Government Accountability Office (GAO) report published in June 2026 highlights significant operational flaws and safety concerns.
Within six months, three detainees died. One death originally classified as suicide was later ruled a homicide after further review, though investigators found evidence mishandling and missing records hampered accountability. The GAO also identified several security gaps, including missing perimeter cameras and absence of outdoor recreational areas at launch.
The report found the facility had insufficient legal and family visitation spaces, and medical care for detainees with diabetes, HIV, and tuberculosis was often inadequate or unavailable. These lapses raise questions about the facility's compliance with detention standards.
Financially, ICE paid for unneeded meals and excess staff hours, resulting in millions of dollars in waste as detailed by the GAO. Additionally, a loaded firearm was lost by a contracted guard in January 2026 and remained missing for months, signaling procedural lapses.
Acquisition Logistics LLC, the original contractor managing Camp East Montana, was terminated in April 2026 due to poor performance and lack of detention experience. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has since appointed a new contractor and committed to enhanced oversight and improved conditions.
Kyle Virgien, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), described the findings as evidence of serious civil rights failures that demand corrective action. DHS's response signals recognition of the need for stronger compliance and detainee protections.
By the numbers:
- $1.3 billion — construction and setup budget for Camp East Montana
- 5,000 — detainee capacity of the facility
- 3 — number of detainee deaths in first six months
- April 2026 — contractor termination date
Yes, but: DHS has acknowledged the issues and initiated changes but long-term improvements remain to be seen.
What's next: DHS plans quarterly follow-up audits on the new contractor to monitor progress and compliance at Camp East Montana.