The U.S. Army base at Fort Bliss, Texas, is set to become a pivotal hub for immigration enforcement as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) prepares to open a significant detention and processing center on August 17, 2025.
Named Camp East Montana, this facility will initially house up to 1,000 individuals in immigration removal proceedings, with plans to scale up to 5,000 beds by 2027, potentially making it the largest of its kind in the United States.
This development marks a cornerstone of the Trump administration’s immigration strategy, focusing on streamlining deportations and addressing overcrowding in existing facilities.
Located near El Paso, Fort Bliss is no stranger to immigration-related operations, having previously served as a temporary shelter for unaccompanied migrant children under the Biden administration and a resettlement hub for Afghan refugees in 2021.
The new facility, however, shifts its role toward detention and deportation, aligning with the current administration’s emphasis on enhanced border security and interior enforcement.
According to ICE, Camp East Montana will act as a short-term processing center to alleviate pressure on other detention sites, facilitating what officials describe as a “whole-of-government approach” to national security.
The $231.8 million contract to establish and operate the facility was awarded to Acquisition Logistics LLC, a Virginia-based company, in July 2025.
The contract, funded through the Department of Defense, underscores the administration’s commitment to expanding detention capacity.
ICE has stated that the facility will incrementally increase its capacity by adding 250 beds per week until reaching 3,000, with further expansion planned thereafter.
The use of military infrastructure for immigration purposes has sparked debate, with critics arguing it diverts resources from Fort Bliss’s primary defense mission.
Addressing Overcrowding and Streamlining Deportations
The decision to utilize Fort Bliss comes as ICE detention centers nationwide face significant overcrowding.
Data indicates that the average number of detainees held by ICE surged from 40,000 to 55,000 between January and June 2025, exceeding the 41,500 beds funded by Congress.
Camp East Montana aims to address this strain by providing additional space for processing and short-term detention, particularly for individuals with final removal orders or those awaiting immigration hearings.
ICE has emphasized that the facility will enhance the efficiency of its air operations, enabling deportations to countries in Central and South America and beyond.
Fort Bliss has already been used for such purposes, with military aircraft transporting deportees to Guantánamo Bay and other regions since January 2025.
This expansion aligns with the administration’s broader goal of accelerating deportations, as evidenced by a reported tripling of daily ICE arrests since early 2025.
The establishment of Camp East Montana has not been without controversy.
A recent report by Senator Jon Ossoff’s office highlighted hundreds of alleged human rights abuses in U.S. immigration detention centers since January 2025, including issues like overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate access to legal counsel.
Advocacy groups, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and Vote Common Good, have raised alarms about the potential for similar conditions at Fort Bliss, calling for increased oversight and grassroots protests.
Critics also question the involvement of Acquisition Logistics LLC, noting the company’s lack of prior experience in operating detention facilities.
The significant $1.26 billion contract has drawn scrutiny, particularly given reports that the company is registered to a single-family home in Henrico, Virginia.
Some advocates argue that the militarization of immigration enforcement, exemplified by the use of Fort Bliss, risks further eroding humanitarian protections.
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A Broader Immigration Strategy
The Fort Bliss initiative is part of a larger immigration enforcement framework bolstered by a $170 billion allocation to DHS in a recent spending bill.
This funding supports the hiring of thousands of new immigration officers, the construction of additional detention beds, and enhanced border security measures.
The administration’s focus on interior enforcement has led to a surge in arrests, with ICE reportedly targeting a wide range of undocumented immigrants, including those without criminal records.
Local leaders and advocacy groups in El Paso have expressed mixed reactions.
While some see the facility as a necessary step to manage immigration flows, others, including Jacob Wedemeyer of Estrella del Paso, argue that involving the military in civil immigration matters is a misstep.
“The military’s role is defense, not detention,” Wedemeyer stated, echoing concerns about blurring lines between national security and immigration policy.
As Camp East Montana prepares to open, its impact on both immigration policy and the El Paso community remains a focal point of national attention.
The facility’s expansion to 5,000 beds could reshape the landscape of U.S. immigration detention, raising questions about capacity, oversight, and human rights.
With construction ongoing and operations set to commence in days, Fort Bliss stands at the forefront of a contentious chapter in America’s immigration debate.
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