(EL PASO, TEXAS) A new ICE detention camp on the Fort Bliss Army base is set to start intake around August 17, 2025, with about 1,000 beds at opening and a rapid build‑out toward approximately 5,000 beds in the following weeks and months. Officials say the site, known as “Camp East Montana,” could become the largest single ICE detention facility in the country once fully expanded.
What’s opening, where, and who’s in charge
The Department of Homeland Security will run custody and daily operations through ICE, while the Department of Defense funds and builds the site on the Fort Bliss reservation east of El Paso. The Pentagon describes the facility as a tent‑style camp designed to scale fast to meet demand.
DHS has not released a different start date; local and national outlets continue to cite August 17, 2025 for first intake.
Key points:
– Location: Fort Bliss, “Camp East Montana,” east of El Paso
– Opening target: Week of August 17, 2025
– Initial capacity: ~1,000 beds
– Planned expansion: ~5,000 beds (would be the largest in the United States if reached)
– Agencies: DoD funds and builds; ICE holds custody and operates
Why this is happening now
ICE’s detained population has surged in recent weeks, with recent reporting citing roughly 57,000–59,000 people in custody nationwide.
Federal officials frame the Fort Bliss expansion as surge capacity to support faster removals and relieve pressure on other sites during a period of stepped‑up enforcement. Analysis by VisaVerge.com notes that a 5,000‑bed Fort Bliss would become the country’s largest ICE detention facility once the expansion is complete.
How the facility will work
Camp East Montana will use soft‑sided, tented housing with support areas for medical care, intake, and daily services. The Pentagon says construction will add modules in stages, and ICE will add staff and contractors as sections come online.
The camp’s location near the border allows faster transfers to ports of removal and staging for flights, according to recent reporting.
Agencies and roles:
– Department of Defense: Finances construction and provides the base and logistics
– Department of Homeland Security / ICE: Custody, operations, and transfers via Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO)
What detainees and families should expect
People arrested by ICE ERO in the region and through interior actions may be transferred to Fort Bliss pending removal, bond hearings, or asylum screening. Processing will run through the El Paso ICE field office.
Due to the camp’s scale and tent design, immigration court hearings may use video teleconferencing (VTC), although detailed court logistics are not yet announced.
Practical steps:
– Finding a loved one: Use the ICE Online Detainee Locator System (ODLS) after intake to confirm custody and location: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/
– Visitation rules: ICE will publish site‑specific rules and attorney access instructions after opening. Expect standard ID checks, limits on personal items, and possible appointment systems during the initial surge.
– Transfers: Rapid expansion sites often see frequent transfers. Attorneys should watch for transfer notices from ICE ERO and check immigration court dockets with EOIR.
Local impact on courts and services
Local reporting indicates that a 5,000‑bed site will reshape the El Paso area immigration court calendar, likely increasing hearings and video sessions. It could also:
- Increase demand for legal services and translation
- Shift populations among nearby detention centers
- Place added strain on local infrastructure and service providers
The El Paso community is preparing for these effects, with more details expected after intake begins.
Cost and oversight
The Defense Department is paying to build the camp, but detailed contracts, per‑diem bed rates, and a confirmed total cost for Fort Bliss are not published in the reports reviewed.
Lawmakers and watchdogs are expected to scrutinize:
– Spending and vendor selection
– Conditions and operational standards
Any lawsuits or injunctions could affect the pace of the build‑out; as of August 11, 2025, none were reported in the cited sources.
Policy background and shift to military bases
This move follows Defense Secretary approvals in mid‑2025 that opened access to Fort Bliss and other bases to support migrant detention. In earlier years, the Pentagon resisted building such facilities on bases; the 2025 approvals mark a notable shift to direct military support for DHS detention capacity.
Reports also note authorizations for additional bases in New Jersey and Indiana to house people awaiting deportation.
Conditions, standards, and open questions
Advocates routinely voice concerns about due process, medical care, heat, and access to counsel in tent facilities. ICE facilities, including soft‑sided sites, typically follow the ICE Performance‑Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS), with site‑specific adjustments.
For Camp East Montana, specific details have not been released on:
– Heat mitigation and medical staffing
– Exact court plan (on‑site courtrooms versus VTC to existing courts)
– Total cost, contractors, and per‑diem rates
Important: Details on medical and heat protocols adapted to the desert setting remain pending.
Perspectives across the debate
- Enforcement view: Federal officials argue Fort Bliss will add needed space amid record apprehensions, improve throughput, and reduce overcrowding elsewhere.
- Civil liberties groups: Advocates are expected to question due process, medical access, heat safety in tents, and whether people can reach lawyers at a large, fast‑moving site.
- Local community: El Paso stakeholders await clarity on traffic, staffing, and court impacts. City and county statements may follow once intake begins and practical effects become clear.
What to do if someone is detained at Fort Bliss
- Check custody and location through ODLS as soon as possible after reported transfer: https://locator.ice.gov/odls/
- Contact the ICE ERO El Paso Field Office for visitation and legal access rules once published for Camp East Montana.
- Monitor immigration court notices for changes, including possible video hearings and rapid transfer updates.
- Prepare for delays during the ramp‑up period, as high volume may strain scheduling and communications early on.
What’s next
Expect a fast ramp from 1,000 toward ~5,000 beds through late summer and fall 2025, subject to construction and staffing. Oversight by Congress and watchdogs is likely to intensify. If Camp East Montana meets operational goals, similar DoD‑supported sites could follow at other approved bases this fiscal year.
Actionable takeaways:
– Families and lawyers should plan for quick use of ODLS and close tracking of EOIR dockets.
– Service providers in El Paso may need to scale up to meet demand driven by the Fort Bliss expansion.
– Watch for ICE’s posted visitation rules and site updates on Camp East Montana as the opening week approaches.
This Article in a Nutshell
A new tent-style ICE camp at Fort Bliss, Camp East Montana, opens around August 17, 2025 with about 1,000 beds. Funded by DoD and run by ICE, officials plan rapid expansion toward roughly 5,000 beds, raising legal, medical, and logistical questions for El Paso communities and advocates.
