ICE detention facility at Fort Bliss opens Aug. 17 under Trump-era executive order
The facility, known as Camp East Montana, will begin operations on Sunday, Aug. 17, with a capacity of 1,000 detainees and plans to expand to 5,000 beds, ICE spokesperson Leticia Zamarripa stated in a news release. She added that the expansion is needed to support increased enforcement targeting individuals unlawfully present in the United States.
The detention center at Fort Bliss is expected to become the largest migrant facility in the U.S. once it reaches full capacity.
The facility is being constructed under a Department of Defense contract and is funded "as part of the essential whole-of-government approach to protecting public safety and preserving national security," the news release stated as to why the money was made available.
More on the facility images First images of ICE migrant detention facility at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas
Plans to expand the facility
After months of speculation about when the facility would begin accepting detainees, ICE has publicly addressed construction on Fort Bliss property for the first time.
ICE officials confirmed that contractor Acquisition Logistics LLC, based in Henrico, Virginia, will add beds in weekly increments of 250 until the facility reaches a capacity of 3,000.
"ICE personnel will be responsible for the management and operational authority pertaining to Camp East Montana. This is being carried out with contracted support and according to ICE detention standards," the statement said.
Among the amenities listed at the soft-sided facility are "everything a traditional ICE detention facility offers," the statement said. They include:
Access to legal representation and a law library,
Access to visitation,
Recreational space,
Medical treatment space and nutritionally balanced meals.
It also provides necessary accommodations for disabilities, diet, and religious beliefs.
"ICE is using Camp East Montana to help decompress ICE detention facilities in other regions," the statement said. "It will also serve as a processing facility, and ICE Air Operations will effectuate removals for aliens staged at the facility, which enables ICE to detain the rapidly increasing number of criminal aliens its brave officers and special agents arrest."
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Such facilities, ICE officials noted, expedite the removal processes "which is one of the Trump administration's priorities," the statement concluded.
The contract to build the facility
In a statement by Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin of the Department of Homeland Security, there was still confirmation of the location being operational as of the start of August.
The Department of Defense announced on July 21 that Acquisition Logistics LLC, of Henrico, Virginia, was awarded a $231.9 million firm-fixed-price contract to establish and operate a short-term detention facility for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The site will hold up to 5,000 single adult detainees.
The contract comes on the heels of Presidential Executive Order 14159, which outlines using "national security assets for law and order."
"Bids were solicited via the internet with 13 received. Work will be performed in El Paso, Texas, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2027. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance, Army funds in the amount of $231,878,229 were obligated at the time of the award," the contract overview states.
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Kristian Jaime is the Top Story Reporter for the El Paso Times and is reachable at Kjaime@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: ICE to open largest migrant detention center at Fort Bliss on Aug. 17
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