EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — After eight months of operations at Camp East Montana, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office of Detention Oversight (ODO) conducted the first inspection into the facility, and reported nearly 50 deficiencies, including violations in security, care and justice, according to the report obtained by KTSM on Thursday, April 2.
The ODO inspected the facility from Feb. 10-12 and noted 49 deficiencies. According to the report, deficiencies are defined as any violation of detention standards, policies or operational procedures.
This inspection was done when Camp East Montana was operated by Acquisition Logistics LLC, before Amentum overtook the facility in March.
Camp East Montana operates under new ICE contractor
Most of the deficiencies came from incidents involving the use of force and restraints, in which the ODO recorded 22 violations. While ICE blacked out the number of files, here are the deficiencies outlined:
- The facility did not send documentation of use of force and restraints incidents to ICE/ERO (Enforcement and Removal Operations) for review.
- There was no documentation indicating that staff sought assistance from mental health or other medical personnel immediately after gaining physical control of the detainee.
- Medical personnel did not document the detainees’ examinations or treatment of injuries following the use of force and restraints incident.
- Staff did not document that medical services were provided following the use of force and restraints incident.
- The facility did not send documentation of use of force and restraints incidents involving detainees to ICE/ERO for review.
- All personnel who used force or saw the use of force incident did not document their actions or observations in a written report before leaving their shift
- Supervisors who were present during the use of force incident did not document their observations or any orders they gave directing the written reports
- Facility staff did not prepare the use of force incident reports
- Personnel who witnessed the use of force incident did not complete memorandums for the record and attached them to the reports
- Facility Administrator or designee did not review completed reports and memorandums for sufficiency and corrective action
- Staff did not immediately obtain and record the use of force incident with a video camera, nor document that a delay in obtaining a camera would have constituted a serious hazard, major disturbance, or serious property damage
- Staff did not catalogue and preserve video, audio and other recordings of the use of force incidents as required
- Facility review teams did not complete and submit their reports to the facility administrator within 5 working days of the use of force incident or detainee’s release from restraints
- The facility administrator did not review and sign the after-action report, acknowledging whether the incidents required further investigation or referral to law enforcement
- The facility did not forward copies of after-action reports to the local ICE/ERO office within 7 days of completion
- After-action review team did not document in the report that they reviewed all relevant materials to assess staff compliance with policy and standards
- After-action review team did not review recordings to confirm the wear of protective gear inside cells or areas until conclusion of the operation
- After-action review team did not review recordings to examine the appropriate use of chemical agents in accordance with written procedures
- After-action review team did not review recordings to examine whether a medical professional promptly examined the detainee and reported the findings on the recordings
- After-action review team did not review video recordings for continuous coverage from the time recording began until the incident concluded
- After-action review team did not review video recordings to investigate any breaks or apparently missing sequences in the recordings
This comes after the death of 55-year-old Geraldo Lunas Campos, whose death was ruled as a homicide by the El Paso County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Autopsy: Cuban man detained at Camp East Montana died of asphyxia; manner ruled homicide
On Jan. 14, 36-year-old Victor Manuel Diaz died of a presumed suicide, according to ICE. His autopsy, which was performed at the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Fort Bliss, has not been released. However, his family is still seeking answers and has hired a lawyer.
Attorney of migrant family probes alleged suicide at Camp East Montana death
Francisco Gaspar-Andres, a 48-year-old Guatemalan man, died of “suspected natural causes” on Dec. 3, 2025.
Camp East Montana detainee dies from ‘suspected natural causes’
Eleven of the 49 deficiencies came from facility security and control. ODO noted that staff at Camp East Montana did not accurately document required checks to prevent significant self-harm, did not do necessary headcounts in housing units and equipment was not secured and unaccounted for throughout the facility…