Trump follows ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ with ‘Camp East Montana,’ massive new detention center on border

An Army post in El Paso, Texas, will be the site of the largest federal detention center in the United States, hosting thousands of illegal immigrants in the middle of their removal proceedings or awaiting return to their home countries.

Officials with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement said Camp East Montana will be at Fort Bliss, near the border with Mexico. Last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the use of the Army post for the mission.

“Since then, work has begun for an initial detainment capacity of 1,000 illegal aliens with initial operating capacity likely to be achieved by mid to late August,” Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said last week.

Camp East Montana is expected to formally open on Sunday, with an initial capacity of 1,000 detainees. Montana Avenue is a prominent roadway running along the southern edge of Fort Bliss.

“Once [the Defense Department] achieves the initial stand-up, we will finish construction for up to 5,000 beds in the weeks and months ahead,” Ms. Wilson said.

ICE officials said the new detention center is sorely needed to help them keep pace with the agency’s increased immigration enforcement operations.

“ICE is using Camp East Montana to help decompress ICE detention facilities in other regions,” officials said in a statement. “It will also serve as a processing facility.”

The temporary facility near El Paso will be identical to established ICE detention centers, with detainees having access to legal representation, a law library, medical treatment, and recreational spaces.

“It also provides necessary accommodations for disabilities, diet, and religious beliefs,” an ICE spokesperson said.

Cracking down on illegal immigration was perhaps the central plank in President Trump’s campaign platform. Camp East Montana follows other temporary ICE detention facilities like Alligator Alcatraz, located at the Dade Collier Training and Transition Airport at the Big Cypress National Preserve in Ochopee, Florida, and the recently announced Speedway Slammer in Indiana, part of a deal with that state to expand ICE detention space at a prison near Indianapolis.

“The Speedway Slammer will house some of the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens arrested by ICE,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said last week in a statement. “If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Indiana’s Speedway Slammer. Avoid arrest and self-deport now using the [Customs and Border Protection] home app.

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said he was proud to work with the Trump administration to remove “the worst of the worst” with what he called an “innovative partnership.”

“Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combat illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states,” the Republican governor said.

Not all local politicians are eager to work with the Trump administration’s immigration efforts. El Paso County Commissioner Jackie Butler introduced a formal resolution opposing the establishment of Camp East Montana.