EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The expected largest immigration detention facility in the U.S. at Fort Bliss could begin receiving detainees as early as Friday, August 1, two years before its expected completion date.
The date was revealed during a virtual press briefing on Wednesday, July 30, held by U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas. The congresswoman and her Communications Director, Abbey Thompson, answered questions from reporters about the controversial redistricting maps and immigration facilities.
A reporter asked Escobar if the migrants would be brought to the facility, that’s going up just north of the intersection of Montana Avenue and George Dieter Drive, before construction on the facility is finished in September 2027. Thompson confirmed the detention facility “could see detainees as early as August 1.”
KTSM reported on Tuesday, July 29, that construction on the massive detention facility is underway. The Trump administration has announced that detention facilities going up across the country would be used to house “undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally” before they are deported back to their home country.
KTSM cameras captured construction equipment moving materials, and trucks driving back and forth on a dirt road that enters the construction site.
This news comes after the federal government announced it was moving forward with building the “largest” detention facility at Fort Bliss.
A $231.8 million contract was awarded to establish and operate a deportation hub, and the overall project would be $1.2 billion.
Escobar’s spokeswoman said the facility will start with 1,000 single adult detainees and can expand to hold up to 5,000, adding 250 beds each week after the first 1,000 are in place.
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