EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — After 8 months of operations at Camp East Montana, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Detention Oversight (ODO) conducted the first inspection into the facility, and reported nearly 50 deficiencies, including violations in security, care and justice, according to the report obtained by KTSM on Thursday, April 2.
The ODO inspected the facility from Feb. 10 to 12 and noted 49 deficiencies. According to the report, deficiencies are defined as any violation of detention standards, policies or operational procedures.
This inspection was done when Camp East Montana was operated by Acquisition Logistics LLC, before Amentum overtook the facility in March.
Camp East Montana operates under new ICE contractor
Most of the deficiencies came from incidents involving the use of force and restraints, in which the ODO recorded 22 violations. While ICE blacked out the number of files, here are the deficiencies outlined:
The facility did not send documentation of use of force and restraints incidents to ICE/ERO (Enforcement and Removal Operations) for review.
There was no documentation indicating that staff sought assistance from mental health or other medical personnel immediately after gaining physical control of the detainee.
Medical personnel did not document the detainees’ examinations or treatment of injuries following the use of force and restraints incident.
Staff did not document that medical services were provided following the use of force and restraints incident.
The facility did not send documentation of use of force and restraints incidents involving detainees to ICE/ERO for review.
All personnel who used force or saw the use of force incident did not document their actions or observations in a written report before leaving their shift
Supervisors who were present during the use of force incident did not document their observations or any orders they gave directing the written reports
Facility staff did not prepare the use of force incident reports
Personnel who witnessed the use of force incident did not complete memorandums for the record and attached them to the reports
Facility Administrator or designee did not review completed reports and memorandums for sufficiency and corrective action
Staff did not immediately obtain and record the use of force incident with a video camera, nor document that a delay in obtaining a camera would have constituted a serious hazard, major disturbance, or serious property damage
Staff did not catalogue and preserve video, audio and other recordings of the use of force incidents as required
Facility review teams did not complete and submit their reports to the facility administrator within 5 working days of the use of force incident or detainee’s release from restraints
The facility administrator did not review and sign the after-action report, acknowledging whether the incidents required further investigation or referral to law enforcement
The facility did not forward copies of after-action reports to the local ICE/ERO office within 7 days of completion
After-action review team did not document in the report that they reviewed all relevant materials to assess staff compliance with policy and standards
After-action review team did not review recordings to confirm the wear of protective gear inside cells or areas until conclusion of the operation
After-action review team did not review recordings to examine the appropriate use of chemical agents in accordance with written procedures
After-action review team did not review recordings to examine whether a medical professional promptly examined the detainee and reported the findings on the recordings
After-action review team did not review video recordings for continuous coverage from the time recording began until the incident concluded
After-action review team did not review video recordings to investigate any breaks or apparently missing sequences in the recordings
This comes after the death of 55-year-old Geraldo Lunas Campos, whose death was ruled as a homicide but the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Autopsy: Cuban man detained at Camp East Montana died of asphyxia; manner ruled homicide
On Jan. 14, 36-year-old Victor Manuel Diaz died of a presumed suicide, according to ICE. His autopsy, which was performed at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Fort Bliss, has not been released. However, his family is still seeking answers and has hired a lawyer.
Attorney of migrant family probes alleged suicide at Camp East Montana death
Francisco Gaspar-Andres, a 48-year-old Guatemalan man, died of “suspected natural causes” on Dec. 3, 2025.
Camp East Montana detainee dies from ‘suspected natural causes’
Eleven of the 49 deficiencies came from facility security and control. ODO noted that staff at Camp East Montana did not accurately document required checks to prevent significant self-harm, did not do necessary headcounts in housing units and equipment was not secured and unaccounted for throughout the facility.
In one instance, while reviewing CCTV footage, one detainee escaped when the facility did not have security assigned to conduct perimeter fence checks, according to the report.
The ODO stated they reviewed facility practices and interviewed the Prison Rape Elimination Act Coordinator, and found that Camp East Montana has not implemented a coordinated, multidisciplinary team approach in responding to sexual abuse and assault.
As KTSM previously reported, a spokesperson for the City of El Paso confirmed two cases of tuberculosis at the migrant detention facility on Feb. 6.
City confirms 2 cases of tuberculosis at Camp East Montana
In the ODO report, one detainee with symptoms of suggestive tuberculosis was not housed in an airborne infection isolation room with negative pressure ventilation. The other deficiency stated that one detainee with symptoms of suggestive tuberculosis was not tested for HIV.
According to the report, in 16 of 91 logged grievances, Camp East Montana did not address grievances within five business days, but between six and 14 business days. As well, the facility “did not make every effort” to resolve the grievances in a timely manner, but within six to 14 business days.
Moreover, in 12 out of the 39 logged medical grievances, the facility did not refer nor answer medical grievances and the facility responded to those grievances between six and 14 business days.
It was highlighted in the report that Camp East Montana did not follow its policy of urgent response to any grievance, alleging any threat to a detainee’s health, safety or wellbeing. Specifically, 2 out of 10 logged emergency grievances, the facility responded in six to eight days.
In an investigative report by the Associated Press, the 911 calls pouring in from Camp East Montana are at a rate of nearly one a day for five months.
Attempted suicides, fights, pain: 911 calls reveal misery at ICE’s largest detention facility
According to the Associated Press, after obtaining over one hundred 911 calls, detainees revealed the reality of the overcrowding, medical neglect, malnutrition and emotional distress.
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, continues to push for the closure of Camp East Montana. In February, Escobar and 23 other members of Congress sent a letter to then DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons, calling for the closure of the facility due to multiple in-custody deaths, documented unsafe conditions, and serious deficiencies in medical care, according to Escobar’s office.
Congresswoman Escobar, others call for closure of Camp East Montana
According to the report, the ODO conducts annual and biennial oversight inspections of ICE detention facilities to asses and rate each facility’s compliance.
“ODO recommends ERO El Paso continue to work with the facility to resolve the deficiencies that remain outstanding in accordance with contractual obligations,” read the report.
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