Human rights organizations have called for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to shut down its immigration detention facility at Fort Bliss military base in El Paso, Texas. This request follows alarming allegations of abuse against detained immigrants, including reports of physical violence and neglect.
Horrific Conditions at Fort Bliss
A coalition of advocates composed a letter detailing the dire situation within the Camp East Montana tent camp. Reports include:
- Inhumane living conditions, such as rotten food and foul-tasting drinking water.
- Excessive use of force by officers, including beatings and sexual abuse.
- Medical neglect and insufficient access to essential services.
- Coercive threats aiming to facilitate deportations to countries with no ties.
- Denial of meaningful access to legal counsel.
Accounts from Detainees
The letter highlighted testimonies from over 45 detained individuals, alongside 16 sworn declarations. A teenage detainee, referred to as “Samuel,” described severe beatings that resulted in significant injuries, including a broken tooth. Samuel recounted an officer laughing at his pain and mocking him while he struggled to stay conscious.
Another detainee, a Cuban immigrant named Isaac, also spoke about the abusive tactics employed by officers. He reported being beaten and coerced into a bus heading towards the border, where they were pressured to cross into Mexico.
Demands for Action
The letter urged ICE to halt all deportations to countries where detainees do not have genuine connections. This call to action is crucial given the reported pattern of abuse at Fort Bliss, where officers allegedly threaten violence and criminal charges to force compliance among the detainees.
Background of Fort Bliss Facility
Opened under the Trump administration in August 2025, the facility has since drawn heavy criticism. An internal ICE inspection from September 2025 revealed that the camp violated more than 60 federal detention standards within just 50 days of operation. Currently, Fort Bliss is the largest immigration detention center in the U.S., housing over 2,700 detainees.
Signatories of the letter include major organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ACLU of New Mexico, and Human Rights Watch. They stress the urgent need for reforms within ICE and the immediate closure of this facility at Fort Bliss.
