Watchdog finds waste and unsanitary conditions at ICE facility inside Fort Bliss
Updated on: June 9, 2026 / 4:43 PM EDT / CBS News
TL;DR
- The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found major problems at the Fort Bliss migrant detention facility, Camp East Montana.
- Issues included millions of dollars in waste, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate tuberculosis control measures.
- Two deaths occurred at the facility, one investigated as a homicide and the other as a suicide.
- A security guard lost a loaded firearm, which remained unfound as of March.
- Detainees with chronic health conditions did not receive proper care.
- The GAO linked the problems to a rushed construction and contracting process, including awarding a contract to a company with no detention services experience.
- The facility experienced significant waste of government resources on meals and services when not at capacity.
- Unsanitary conditions led to guards offering detainees cookies in exchange for cleaning their dormitories.
- The Department of Homeland Security stated that ICE is upgrading the facility with a new provider and more oversight.
- The GAO recommended ICE pursue flexible contracts, ensure new facilities meet standards, and identify lessons learned for future acquisitions.