EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)- Camp East Montana, one of the country’s largest immigration detention centers, officially opened its doors Sunday, Aug. 17 on Fort Bliss property.
The facility began operations with an initial capacity of about 1,000 beds, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Federal officials say the site could eventually expand to hold up to 5,000 people, which would make it one of the largest migrant detention centers in the United States.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, who toured the facility last week, said it is designed for migrants under final orders of deportation.
“These are people under final orders of deportation. They have no legal remedy. They have no legal right to be here,” Cornyn said. He added that the facility should remain open to congressional oversight and media access.
The project carries a price tag of more than $1 billion, drawing criticism from U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas.
“That money will mostly go to a private contractor who will enrich himself. Can you imagine what $1 billion in El Paso could do? How much health care coverage it could provide? How many more law enforcement agencies it could help fund?” she said.
Last week, the El Paso County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a resolution opposing the facility. The measure calls for more transparency, including formal briefings from federal agencies and access for local officials and community advocates. Commissioner David Stout said he plans to push for local leaders to have access, stressing that oversight is necessary.
ICE says the facility will only hold single adults, not families or children. Migrants are expected to remain at the site for only a few weeks before being deported to their home countries or elsewhere.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas (ACLU) called the site’s opening “dangerous and cruel,” adding that the group will continue monitoring conditions at Camp East Montana to ensure detainees’ rights are not ignored.
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