Federal regulators have cited three contractors for serious safety violations related to the construction of a significant immigration detention center, following the tragic death of a worker. The worker, Hector Gonzalez, 38, died on July 21, 2025, after being crushed by falling materials at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas.
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) found substantial violations in its investigation into Gonzalez’s death, which occurred amid heightened construction efforts on the detention facility. This incident has raised serious safety concerns surrounding the operations of companies involved in these projects.
A report released by the watchdog group Public Citizen scrutinized the contractors profiting from the facility, including Base International, which is owned by Nathan Albers, a campaign donor to former President Donald Trump. Despite the investigations, OSHA initially noted no wrongdoing against Acquisition Logistics, the main contractor, but moved to penalize three subcontractors: Base International, JMJ Production Services, and Fulfillment Personnel Services.
Camp East Montana has been criticized since its opening for inhumane conditions and has housed over 3,000 detainees awaiting deportation proceedings. Public Citizen researcher Douglas Pasternak condemned the situation, highlighting the deaths of four people over six months due to contracting issues linked to the Trump administration.
Albers’ company is contesting OSHA’s citation of $11,585, asserting there was no misconduct involved. Meanwhile, the other two firms settled with OSHA for lower fines of $15,000 each.
Public Citizen's report emphasizes concerns about the oversight of federal contracts, particularly those administered by companies with ties to high-profile political donors, raising questions about workplace safety and detainee welfare in notorious facilities like Camp East Montana.
