Two active tuberculosis cases and 18 COVID-19 cases have been reported at a large immigration detention facility located in El Paso.
U.S. Representative Veronica Escobar revealed these findings soon after her visit to Camp East Montana, a tent facility with a capacity of 5,000 beds that was rapidly constructed on the Fort Bliss Army base. The city of El Paso later confirmed the reported cases. On social media platform X, Escobar stated, “Many of the chronic issues that I have reported out to the public and to members of my committee persist.”
As of late January, approximately 3,100 individuals were being held at the facility, including 325 women. Escobar noted that about one-third of these detainees suffer from chronic illnesses, with 200 to 300 individuals requiring insulin on a daily basis.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has yet to address inquiries regarding the situation.
The emergence of these infections follows the identification of two measles cases at the South Texas Family Residential Center, located 70 miles south of San Antonio. This facility was placed under lockdown on February 2.
The presence of tuberculosis and COVID-19, both airborne diseases, raises significant concerns regarding the health conditions at Camp East Montana and other similar immigration detention centers.
Advocacy groups for immigrant rights have been vocal about the “inhumane conditions” at Camp East Montana, citing instances of physical abuse and severe medical neglect.
In the first six months of operation, three migrants have lost their lives at the facility. Among them was Geraldo Lunas Campos, who initially was reported by ICE to have died after experiencing medical distress. However, a week later, ICE informed the Associated Press that he had died during a suicide attempt while staff attempted to save him.
The autopsy report from the El Paso Medical Examiner, released on January 21, classified Lunas Campos’ death as a homicide, indicating that excessive pressure on his neck and chest prevented him from breathing.
Escobar criticized Acquisition Logistics LLC, the private company managing the facility, stating, “What is absolutely clear is that the private company running this immigration detention facility is getting worse, not better.” This Virginia-based business has no documented experience in managing correctional facilities.
Camp East Montana is currently the largest immigration detention center in the United States, but the Department of Homeland Security is planning to construct two additional facilities in El Paso County and the Dallas area, each potentially accommodating up to 9,500 individuals.
