March 6, 2026, 11:52 a.m. MT
U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar is “rejoicing that this dark chapter is over” in response to reports that ICE is closing Camp East Montana at Fort Bliss Army Base.
The Department of Homeland Security is taking steps to close the sprawling immigrant detention camp known as Camp East Montana in El Paso, the Washington Post reports.
“While reports of its closure are a cause for relief, it does not mean an end to my determination to seek accountability from both Acquisition Logistics and DHS,” Escobar said in a statement. “Nor does it mean that the Trump administration will not continue to exploit El Paso for its immigration enforcement purposes, including the administration’s purchase of warehouses in Socorro. Our community must remain vigilant and committed to the continued fight while celebrating that this dark chapter is over.”
The report comes from an internal document obtained by the newspaper, which was distributed to staff, and stated that DHS was seeking to terminate the contract with Acquisition Logistics LLC, the Henrico, Virginia-based company contracted to build and manage a soft-structure detention center. The company was awarded a $1.2 billion contract to build and manage the site.
The report does not include a timeline for closure.
Escobar, D-El Paso, has regularly called for the closure of the detention center following his seven congressional oversight visits, raising concerns about conditions. He has argued that the site represents fraud and waste.
“The Trump administration has used El Paso as ground zero for its sick and twisted immigration enforcement policies for years, and Camp East Montana is no different,” Escobar said in a statement.
Kristian Jaime translated this article from the El Paso Times.
Kristian Jaime is the senior news reporter for the El Paso Times and can be reached at Kjaime@elpasotimes.com.
