On Tuesday, the El Paso City Council unanimously approved a resolution urging the federal government to close Camp East Montana, the immigration detention facility located on Fort Bliss. The 7‑0 vote reflects growing local concern over the camp’s operations, which have been in place for more than a year.
Public testimony highlights alleged mistreatment
During the public comment period, several El Paso residents described what they said were substandard conditions at the facility. Gilbert Perez recounted a visit to a replica of the camp, claiming detainees were served half‑cooked food infested with maggots. A civil‑rights staff attorney added that the food had made a detainee ill, describing the experience as “vomiting because often the food comes spoiled” and saying the individual felt “a skeleton of the person that I was before detention.”
City Representative Lily Limon relayed detainee accounts, including one description of the camp as a “graveyard of living people.” The Texas Civil Rights Project’s Charlotte Weiss warned that three detainees have died at the facility, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations.
Council members cite fiscal and health concerns
City Representative Josh Acevedo emphasized the financial burden of the camp, noting that it operates on a budget exceeding $1 billion. “When we stay silent, we’re complicit,” Acevedo said, urging the council to call out the lack of transparency regarding how taxpayer dollars are spent and the alleged failure to provide adequate food, clothing, and basic toiletries.
Council members also raised public‑health worries, arguing that the facility poses a risk to the surrounding community. While the resolution does not have the authority to shut down a federal detention center directly, the council hopes the unanimous vote will send a strong message to the federal government about local concerns.
Questions about detainee relocation
Some residents expressed uncertainty about the practical implications of a closure. Mary Holguin asked, “Where are they going to send these people if they close it down?” The council acknowledged that the resolution does not provide a relocation plan, but it underscores the need for greater transparency and accountability.
Next steps
The resolution will be forwarded to federal officials for consideration. While the El Paso City Council cannot unilaterally close the facility, the unanimous vote reflects a unified local stance that the camp’s conditions and budget warrant serious review.
Local leaders continue to monitor the situation and will seek further dialogue with federal authorities to address the concerns raised by residents and civil‑rights advocates.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
