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Tuberculosis outbreak at nation's largest immigration detention center in El Paso, Texas

Nearly 3,000 people a day have been held at Camp East Montana in El Paso, where a rushed opening led to $11.5 million wasted on meals, 49 safety deficiencies, a tuberculosis outbreak, and at least three deaths.

Apr 2, 2026El Paso, TX

A Government Accountability Office report found that Camp East Montana, the nation's largest immigration detention center in El Paso, Texas, wasted $11.5 million on meals when no detainees were present and suffered performance issues due to a rushed opening. The watchdog's findings follow an earlier ICE inspection on April 2, 2026, that identified 49 deficiencies, including inadequate suicide prevention measures, unsecured equipment, staffing shortages, and failure to isolate a detainee with tuberculosis symptoms, which the GAO confirmed led to a tuberculosis outbreak. The facility, which has housed nearly 3,000 detainees daily since opening in summer 2025 and has recorded at least three deaths, received an acceptable rating despite the violations. The GAO recommended changes to ICE, the Army, and the Department of Homeland Security to prevent further issues.

Timeline

Apr 2, 2026—ICE's Office of Detention Oversight inspection found 49 deficiencies including inadequate suicide prevention, unsecured equipment, staffing shortages, medical negligence, and failure to isolate detainee with tuberculosis symptoms; facility received acceptable rating despite violations
Jun 2025—Camp East Montana opened in El Paso, Texas as the nation's largest immigration detention center
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