Immigration and Customs Enforcement said it is reviewing its contract for Camp East Montana after months of controversy, including a recent measles outbreak.
The Washington Post cited an internal document on Wednesday indicating that ICE is filing a letter to terminate Camp East Montana’s $1.2 billion contract. The facility’s contract with Acquisition Logistics LLC is set to expire in September 2027. The document did not include a time frame or reason for the possible termination.
Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Lauren Bis, however, said DHS is reviewing the contracts, but “no decisions have been made related to contract extension, termination, or award.”
The review comes after a recent measles outbreak at the facility, which closed the camp to visitors.
As of Tuesday, there were 14 confirmed measles cases, and 112 individuals were isolated. “This is on the heels of prior COVID and tuberculosis outbreaks there,” said Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX). “I’ve also learned the alarming news that there has been an effort to quarantine detainees with measles at our local hospitals.”
Escobar represents El Paso and was a frequent visitor to the camp.
“Despite what I was initially told about the level of medical care inside the facility, it became very clear to me early on that serious medical issues were being overlooked and, in some cases, medical attention was non-existent for urgent health issues,” Escobar said.
Since its opening less than eight months ago, Camp East Montana has had a troubling history. The tent encampment was built in the span of a few weeks in a free desert lot close to Fort Bliss Army base. When the first detainees arrived in early August, they were held in an active construction site.
Human rights advocates and lawmakers have expressed concern about alleged abuses happening at the camp.
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In February, Escobar and other lawmakers wrote a letter to then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem urging her to close the facility. “Camp East Montana must be shut down. For the safety of everyone at the facility, for an end to abuses to detainees, and for fiscal responsibility to the American people, the site cannot continue to operate,” the letter said.
Since its opening, three detainees have died, including one whose death was ruled a homicide. Poor living conditions, including rotten food, inadequate medical attention, and foul drinking water, were also reported.
