Recent investigations have documented disgusting allegations of abuse at Camp East Montana. This temporary immigration detention facility for adults is on the Fort Bliss army base in Texas. As it stands now, the camp has more than 2,700 detainees inside a sprawling network of soft-sided tents that cram 72 people into each unit. These abuses include physical abuse, sexual violence and intimidation, forced relocation, and refusal of medical attention to marginalized groups.
Detainees at Camp East Montana have reported shocking stories. They allege that they were forced by masked officers to scramble over the U.S.-Mexico border wall and enter Mexico. This practice is allegedly meant to get around legal processes for deportation and third-country agreements. Detainees who opposed these orders faced harassment. Their intimidation included the threat of federal prosecution and imprisonment in far flung places such as Africa or El Salvador.
“The masked people sometimes beat on people to get them to jump the wall even if they don’t want to.” – Eduardo
The facility has faced scrutiny over the conditions of living. This failing infrastructure adds to the trauma experienced by detainees, as these third party tents reportedly have major plumbing issues. In addition, our most vulnerable populations—people with diabetes and high blood pressure—have been left for dead. One report found that diabetics are being denied access to insulin for days, forcing them to experience fainting spells. Those that suffer from high blood pressure are left neglected until they suddenly show unmistakable signs of medical emergencies.
Abuse Detainees in ICE custody have documented cases of physical abuse. One detainee, later named as Isaac, recounted being subjected to severe pain and degradation by officers.
“They grabbed and crushed my testicles between their fingers, which was very painful and humiliating.” – Isaac
Other detainee Samuel sustained broken teeth and blunt force trauma to his testicle requiring hospitalization. Now, allegations of sexual abuse cloud the already tangled organization’s future. In one egregious encounter, one officer is accused of inserting his fingers into a detainee’s ear canal.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other groups joined in urging the Department to take action right away. They are asking for Camp East Montana to be immediately closed due to the distressing stories. While seemingly simple, their statement belies deepening fears around the treatment of immigrants inside the facility.
“In light of these abuses, we urge the end to detention of immigrants at Fort Bliss.” – Eight organizations including ACLU and Human Rights Watch
These are serious allegations, yet ICE Commissioner Ron Vitiello along with other officials have vigorously denied allegations of inhumane conditions inside ICE detention facilities. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the agency, stated:
“Any claim that there are ‘inhumane’ conditions at ICE detention centers are categorically false. No detainees are being beaten or abused.” – Tricia McLaughlin
She claimed that illegal immigrants in the U.S. are treated better than any lawbreakers ever in the world. McLaughlin touched upon the need to honor third-country agreements in order to keep the homeland safe.
“No lawbreakers in the history of human civilization have been treated better than illegal aliens in the United States. Get a grip.” – Tricia McLaughlin
Eunice Hyunhye Cho from Human Rights Watch argued that placing thousands of individuals in tent camps at a military base without adequate staffing has created a humanitarian disaster.
“Placing thousands of people in tent camps in the middle of the desert, in a military base, without adequate staffing was a recipe for humanitarian disaster.” – Eunice Hyunhye Cho
Cho added that though the current plight of immigrants is shocking, it’s not surprising when looking at the state of immigration policies today.
“Although shocking, but not surprisingly, this nightmare has come true.” – Eunice Hyunhye Cho
Though investigations into these claims are ongoing, the atmosphere at Camp East Montana is still quite oppressive. This contrast between claims of abuse and government denial underscores the murky waters immigration enforcement swims in in the United States. Advocates and human rights groups are calling for urgent action now. They’re determined to address the documented abuses, as well as the larger implications for the people who seek asylum in earnest inside U.S. borders.