A recent review by a government watchdog revealed significant issues with the Trump administration’s handling of immigrant detainees at Fort Bliss Army base in Texas. Problems included unsanitary conditions, millions in wasted funds, inadequate tuberculosis control, and a missing firearm.
The facility, named Camp East Montana, encountered various incidents from August 2025 to March 2026. Among these were two detainee deaths. One death was ruled a homicide after an autopsy, and it is now under criminal investigation. The other death was a suicide of a detainee left unattended for more than 15 minutes.
In a separate January incident, a security guard misplaced a loaded firearm in the facility. As of March, the firearm had yet to be recovered.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlighted that detainees with chronic conditions, like HIV and diabetes, did not receive adequate care. Camp East Montana is the largest detention center operated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) with a capacity of 5,000.
“While the Army and ICE’s planning and acquisition approach for Camp East Montana enabled them to award the contract quickly, it contributed to negative outcomes during facility operations,” reported the GAO.
The report indicated that quick construction and contract awarding led to waste and health risks for detainees and staff. It also mentioned the Army awarded a $1.2 billion contract to an inexperienced contractor. Poor contract terms led to $11.5 million wasted on unexpected expenses in August 2025 and additional costs through March 2026.
The GAO criticized the lack of a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan in the contract, which hindered oversight and addressing problems. ICE has since contracted a new provider, promising to improve standards and medical care at Camp East Montana.
Additionally, the GAO found that the contractor occasionally failed to clean dormitories. Some security guards reportedly exchanged cookies with detainees for cleaning services.
The GAO suggested pursuing flexible contracts and ensuring facilities meet standards. It urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Army to learn from these acquisitions. The Defense Department plans to follow recommendations, although it disputed the report’s reliance on ICE information. The GAO stood by its conclusions, stating both DHS and the Army played roles in the challenges faced at Camp East Montana.