EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — Federal immigration officials have implemented precautionary measures at the Camp East Montana detention facility after several detainees were identified as having potential exposure to measles, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

A DHS spokesperson said staff moved several detainees into pods located in a separate building after they were determined to have had possible exposure to another detainee who may have been exposed to measles prior to being transferred to Camp East Montana.

As a precautionary measure and guidance from the Texas Department of Health, staff cohorted several detainees to pods in a separate building,” the spokesperson said. “Those detainees had possible exposure to another detainee who had possible exposure to measles before they were transferred to Camp East Montana.

City officials said they were notified by the Texas Department of State Health Services regarding individuals currently under quarantine at Camp East Montana.

RECOMMENDED: Civil rights groups sue ICE over alleged abuse, medical neglect at Camp East Montana

According to city officials, the quarantine was initiated after 16 detainees were identified as contacts of two confirmed measles cases at a detention facility in Arizona. Those individuals were transferred to Camp East Montana before the measles cases were confirmed.

According to the city, as of Wednesday, two groups of detainees are under quarantine:

130 male detainees, with quarantine scheduled to end June 11, 202648 female detainees, with quarantine scheduled to end June 20, 2026

DHS also emphasized the medical services available to individuals in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody.

“It is a longstanding practice to provide comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody,” the spokesperson said. “This includes medical, dental, and mental health services as available, and access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care.”

At this time, there is no indication of community spread associated with these exposures, city officials said.

Comment with Bubbles

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.