Government Watchdog Highlights Issues at Fort Bliss Detainee Facility

Major findings from a government watchdog have revealed significant issues at the Fort Bliss Army base in Texas. The facility housed immigrant detainees under the Trump administration, uncovering problems related to waste, unsanitary conditions, inadequate tuberculosis control, and a lost firearm.

Serious Incidents Reported

Between August 2025 and March 2026, the facility, named Camp East Montana, experienced severe incidents, including two deaths. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigated these events and reported one homicide due to asphyxiation in January. This case is now undergoing criminal investigation. Another detainee died by suicide in the same month after being left unattended for periods exceeding 15 minutes.

In another January incident, a security guard lost a loaded firearm within the facility. As of March, the weapon remained unlocated.

Inadequate Health Care and Management

The GAO also pointed out the deficiency in medical care for detainees with chronic conditions, such as HIV or diabetes, due to the absence of proper treatment plans.

Camp East Montana, the largest detention facility under Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), accommodates up to 5,000 detainees. The GAO attributes these issues to a hastily executed construction and contracting process. The approach allowed quick contract awarding but contributed to negative outcomes during operations.

These practices resulted in substantial waste of resources and endangered the health and lives of detainees and staff.

Financial Waste and Mismanagement

The Defense Department had initially announced the construction of Camp East Montana as the largest federal detention center in history, awarding a $1.2 billion contract to a contractor without prior detention service experience. The contract lacked the flexibility to adjust expenses when the facility was not at full capacity, resulting in wasted funds.

From August 1 to August 15, 2025, with no detainees present, the Army incurred $11.5 million in costs for meals, transportation, guards, and medical services. Once ICE took over, additional unnecessary expenditure amounted to $7.1 million for extra meals from October 2025 to March 2026.

The contract did not have a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, causing oversight challenges. ICE officials highlighted significant difficulties due to this absence.

Upgrades and Improvements Announced

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that ICE is now upgrading the facility and has contracted a new provider. The new contractor is expected to adhere to higher detention standards and enhance on-site medical care. More staff and a precise quality assurance surveillance plan will be implemented, providing ICE with increased contractor oversight.

The GAO reported unsanitary dormitory conditions due to inadequate cleaning. Instances occurred where contract security guards offered detainees cookies in exchange for dormitory cleaning.

GAO Recommendations and Responses

The GAO recommended flexible contracts and standards adherence for new facilities. It advised DHS and the Army to learn from acquisitions for future improvements. While the Defense Department agreed to implement recommendations, they contested the GAO’s reliance on ICE official information. The GAO defended its findings, stating that DHS and the Army decisions contributed to challenges at Camp East Montana.