A government watchdog has highlighted significant issues at Fort Bliss Army base in Texas, notably in the Trump administration’s handling of immigrant detainees. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified wasteful spending, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate medical measures, such as tuberculosis control. A firearm was also reported missing.
Between August 2025 and March 2026, Camp East Montana faced numerous incidents. It is the largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility, holding up to 5,000 detainees. The GAO’s report examined two deaths at the facility. One, in January 2026, involved a detainee’s death by asphyxiation, ruled as homicide and under criminal investigation. The other involved a suicide in the same month due to inadequate supervision.
A security lapse occurred when a loaded firearm went missing in January. By March, it was still unaccounted for, reflecting the facility’s security challenges.
The GAO also found inadequate healthcare for detainees with chronic illnesses. Treatment plans for conditions like HIV and diabetes were lacking. These shortcomings were linked to hasty construction and rushed contracting processes. The Army awarded a contract worth $1.2 billion to a previously inexperienced contractor.
From August 1 to August 15, 2025, the Army spent up to $11.5 million despite no detainees being present. As operations commenced, $423,000 was spent on unneeded meals as of September 30, 2025. After ICE assumed the contract, it spent about $7.1 million from October 2025 to March 2026 on surplus meals.
The GAO noted the lack of a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, which complicated contractor performance evaluations. ICE officials acknowledged this hindered oversight.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that ICE is improving conditions and has contracted a new provider for the facility. The new approach promises enhanced detention standards and medical care, more staff, and a rigorous quality assurance plan.
Cleaning issues were also reported, with security guards reportedly offering detainees cookies to clean dormitories themselves.
The GAO advises ICE to pursue flexible contracts and ensure adherence to standards for future facilities. They also suggest implementing lessons learned for future acquisitions. The Defense Department agreed to implement these recommendations but disputed the GAO’s methodology, citing reliance on ICE data.
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