A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has uncovered millions of dollars in waste, unsanitary conditions, and serious gaps in medical treatment at one of the largest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities in the United States. The nonpartisan watchdog's review, which focused on operations at Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, concluded that both the U.S. Army and ICE had squandered millions on services that were either not used or not needed.
Key Findings of the Report
The GAO detailed multiple issues regarding the treatment of detainees, citing previously filed ICE reports. As of December 2025, detainees with diabetes and HIV had no treatment plans in place. By March 2026, some dormitories had become unsanitary due to a lack of daily cleanings. Additionally, evidence related to a detainee's death in January 2026 was either missing or destroyed, according to the report.
Contracting Problems
The GAO attributed these problems to a hasty contracting process, noting that the initial contractor selected had never previously provided detention services. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agreed with the GAO's recommendations to address these shortfalls, while the Defense Department also agreed to implement the watchdog's recommendation but disputed some of the conclusions that led to it.
Response from DHS and Army
A DHS spokesperson stated that ICE had contracted with a new provider, which would purportedly improve onsite conditions. “This new contractor will allow Camp East Montana to continue abiding by the highest detention standards with the ability to provide more medical care on-site. This contract also allows more on-site staff and a precise quality assurance surveillance plan,” the spokesperson said. A spokesperson for the Army did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
