US Immigration and Customs Enforcement extends lease on Texas detention facility

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced plans to extend the lease on Camp East Montana, a migrant detention centre in El Paso, Texas, for at least another year. The facility, which opened in August 2025, will continue to operate despite calls from some lawmakers and advocacy groups for its closure.

According to reports, three detainees have died since the camp’s opening. In February 2026, it was reported that approximately 1,600 non-citizens were being held at the facility. A joint report by Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) found instances of severe assaults by guards against detainees, medical neglect, overcrowding, and a lack of transparency.

The US Government Accountability Office had previously reported in June 2026 that the facility did not meet key detention standards, posing risks to both detained non-citizens and staff. ICE has maintained that its officers are operating in a challenging environment, despite low levels of border crossings.

In response to concerns about detainee treatment, ICE stated that no detainees are being beaten or abused, and that those in custody have access to food, medical care, legal counsel, and communication with their families. The facility’s lease extension will cost taxpayers an additional $776m.

Source: Al Jazeera