Immigration detention policy in the United States once again came under scrutiny after the publication of a report by Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which documents alleged human rights violations at Camp East Montana, the largest detention center for migrants in the country, located within the Fort Bliss military base, in El Paso, Texas.

The 84-page document brings together testimonies from dozens of people detained between October 2025 and June 2026, who reported beatings, medical negligence, prolonged isolation, obstacles to accessing legal representation and detention conditions that, according to the organizations, could constitute cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment under international law.

Camp East Montana, managed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has the capacity to house up to 5,000 people in five tent-like structures set up inside Fort Bliss.

They denounce excessive use of force and deaths in custody

One of the cases that the report focuses on is the death of Cuban citizen Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55 years old, which occurred on January 3, 2026 while he remained in an isolation unit.

According to testimonies collected by HRW, several guards restrained him after he requested his medications. Some detainees claimed to have heard the migrant repeatedly shout: “I can't breathe” before the place fell silent. At the time, ICE reported that staff found the detainee with medical problems and attempted to revive him. However, the autopsy determined that he died from asphyxiation resulting from compression of the neck and torso, in addition to classifying the death as a homicide.

The report maintains that Lunas Campos was one of three migrants who died at Camp East Montana during the last six months and is part of the dozens of deaths recorded in immigration custody since the beginning of President Donald Trump's second term, according to figures cited by the organizations.

In addition to this case, 64 of the 71 people interviewed stated that they had suffered physical attacks or witnessed beatings allegedly committed by security personnel at the center. Several testimonies describe that the guards wore black uniforms, masks and lacked visible identification.

Javier C., interviewed at Ft. You will only be deported or dead.”

Overcrowding, lack of medical care and calls for closure

The report also describes poor sanitary conditions within the complex. Interviewees reported overcrowded modules with up to 72 people sharing six bathrooms and six showers, facilities covered in waste, frequent flooding and shortages of basic hygiene products such as soap, toothpaste and disinfectant.

Organizations also documented delays of weeks or even months in receiving medical care, interruptions in previously prescribed treatments, and insufficient responses to physical and mental health emergencies.

Some migrants claimed to have spent long periods without access to the outdoors or recreational activities, while others reported having lost weight due to insufficient portions or spoiled food. The report also includes reports of alleged pressure on some detainees to renounce their immigration processes and agree to be deported to third countries, even when their cases remained open.

After presenting their findings, Human Rights Watch and the ACLU called on the US government to close Camp East Montana, conduct independent investigations into deaths in custody, review allegations of excessive use of force, and ensure effective accountability mechanisms for the personnel involved.