Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released a report on Wednesday alleging physical abuse and neglect at Camp East Montana, an ICE detention facility located at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. The groups based their findings on 80 interviews with detainees, who reported being beaten by guards, denied medical care, and restricted from contacting legal counsel or family.
The report described conditions at the facility as including chronic malnutrition and unsanitary living environments. It cited specific accounts of mental health struggles among detainees, including one individual who reported experiencing suicidal thoughts during five months of detention at the site. This follows a government watchdog report from last month that found the facility failed to document use-of-force incidents or provide medication to ill detainees.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement calling the allegations of abuse "categorically false." The agency stated that ICE ensures the safety and health of all detainees and that individuals in custody receive proper meals, water, and medical treatment. DHS also maintained that all detainees are provided due process and the ability to communicate with lawyers and family members.
The report comes amid an ongoing immigration enforcement drive by the Trump administration. According to data cited in the reporting, approximately 50 people have died in ICE custody nationwide since January 2025. While rights groups have expressed concerns regarding racial profiling and safety, the administration has stated that its immigration policies are intended to enhance domestic security.