Misused public fundsOversight & ethics enforcementPublic safety & negligence

ICE opened its largest detention facility without the pre-occupancy inspection its own policy requires, GAO found

Confidence: Confirmed · 1 sourceUnited States · Oct 12, 2026

Subject of this story

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

U.S. Army

U.S. Department of Defense

Also named

Oversight

U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO)

What happened

A June 9, 2026 GAO report (GAO-26-108886) found that Camp East Montana, a 1.3 billion dollar facility at Fort Bliss that opened in August 2025 as ICE's largest immigration detention facility, lacked perimeter security cameras, outdoor recreation space, and attorney and family visitation space when it opened. ICE did not identify these gaps because it did not inspect the facility before housing detained people there, as ICE policy requires. After opening, ICE documented gaps in medical services, a lost loaded firearm and unsanitary conditions. GAO also found the Army paid full contracted meal and service costs for August 1 to 15, 2025, when no one was detained there. GAO made four recommendations; DHS and the Department of Defense concurred, and all four remain open.

Sources (1)

U.S. Government Accountability OfficeThe facility opened without meeting key detention standards. For example, the facility initially did not have perimeter security cameras, outdoor recreation space, or space for attorney and family visitation. ICE did not identify these issues because it did not inspect the facility prior to housing detained noncitizens there, as required by ICE policy.

Response

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

On-record admission

Contacted and made an on-record admission — exact wording not on record.

U.S. Army

Not yet contacted

Not yet contacted for this story.

U.S. Department of Defense

Not yet contacted

Not yet contacted for this story.

What happened next (0)

No outcome recorded yet.

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