U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) intends to extend the contract for the Camp East Montana detention facility in El Paso, Texas, through September 30, 2027, potentially adding $776 million to taxpayer costs. This extension follows an initial $452 million contract awarded in March to Amentum Services Inc., which took over operations from a previous contractor removed due to poor performance.
For months, Democratic members of Congress and advocacy groups have called for the closure of Camp East Montana, citing reports of alleged mistreatment of detainees since the facility opened in August 2025. A report released earlier this month by Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union documented allegations of routine beatings, denial of medical care, unsanitary living conditions, and inedible meals. Federal agencies have also identified unsafe detention conditions and instances of wasted government funds at the facility.
At least three detainees have died at Camp East Montana, which is located at Fort Bliss, an Army base near the U.S.-Mexico border. The facility has housed an average of over 2,000 male and female detainees daily since October 1, though recent data indicates a decline in population.
ICE justified the no-bid contract extension, stating that relocating detainees to other facilities would be impractical due to a lack of available bed space. The agency also cited the complexity of transitioning to a new contractor, which would involve replacing Amentum’s proprietary infrastructure and hiring new staff, leading to duplicative costs. According to ICE's notice, any interruption in contract coverage would pose risks to detainee safety and well-being, disrupt law enforcement operations, and expose the government to significant operational, legal, and humanitarian risks.
The agency's notice also noted that the Army's initial contract with Acquisition Logistics LLC did not accurately reflect ICE's operational needs or the facility's usage. Acquisition Logistics reportedly lacked prior experience in operating detention facilities.
If Amentum Services operates the camp from March 2026 through September 2027, the total payment to the Virginia-based company could exceed $1.2 billion. Officials from Amentum referred questions to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment.