The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is taking significant steps to address concerns surrounding its largest detention facility, Camp East Montana, located in El Paso, Texas. On Friday, the agency announced the termination of Acquisition Logistics, the contractor managing the facility, and will replace it with Amentum Services, Inc., a firm with previous experience in similar environments.
The decision to switch contractors comes as the facility has faced intense scrutiny over claims that it has created inhumane living conditions, including overcrowding, malnutrition, and inadequate medical care for the nearly 3,000 detainees housed in long tent encampments. This criticism has been echoed by multiple lawmakers, including calls from Democratic Congress members to shut down the facility.
In recent months, the camp has reported an outbreak of measles, and detainees have described struggles in accessing necessary medication and proper health care. Complaints include significant weight loss due to insufficient food and fears stemming from security personnel's use of force, further exacerbating the distress of individuals detained there.
Acquisition Logistics previously received a $1.3 billion contract to manage Camp East Montana, despite lacking experience in managing ICE detention facilities; this has raised many questions. According to federal notices, Amentum has been selected for its capability to implement a higher standard of care, including medical services and case processing.
Rep. Veronica Escobar expressed relief at the decision to replace Acquisition Logistics but remains concerned about entrenched issues at Camp East Montana. She has toured the facility multiple times and has reiterated her demand for its closure. The new contract with Amentum is set to last for an initial 180 days; however, the future of Camp East Montana remains uncertain.
ICE aims to improve conditions as part of its ongoing strategy to manage detention more humanely, although further developments about the management of the facility and the success of these changes unfold.
