Congresswoman Escobar has sharply criticized the expansion of immigration detention at the Fort Bliss Army base in El Paso, Texas, as construction moves forward on what will soon be the largest immigration detention facility in the United States 🇺🇸. The new center, set to open partially in August 2025, will start with 1,000 beds and grow to 5,000 by 2027.
The U.S. Army awarded a contract worth about $1.25 billion to Acquisition Logistics, a Virginia company, to build and run the Fort Bliss site. Large white tents now cover the 60-acre area, and migrants are expected to begin arriving as early as August 1, 2025, even though the facility will not be fully finished until September 2027. The contract, managed by the Army Field Directorate Office at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, runs through September 30, 2027.
Congresswoman Escobar has called the project a “waste of government money,” arguing that the United States 🇺🇸 already has the world’s largest immigration detention system. She says, “This expansion is unnecessary and harmful,” and points to a lack of transparency and oversight, especially since private contractors are involved. She also worries that funds are being taken away from important community needs like healthcare and housing.
The main contractor, Acquisition Logistics, has little experience with large-scale detention centers. One of its subcontractors, Disaster Management Group, is owned by Nathan Albers, who has past business ties to companies convicted of hiring undocumented workers. This has raised ethical concerns among lawmakers and local advocates.
The expansion comes after the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” signed into law on July 4, 2025, which gave nearly $170 billion for immigration enforcement, including new detention centers. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have pushed for more detention space, saying it is needed for stronger enforcement and deportation efforts. Military involvement has also increased, with the Defense Department helping ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with security and deportation flights from Fort Bliss.
One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law
Migrants expected to begin arriving at Fort Bliss
Partial opening of the Fort Bliss facility
Contract with Acquisition Logistics runs through
Fort Bliss facility fully finished
The Trump administration aims to arrest 3,000 people per day and deport over 1 million immigrants each year. Over 111,000 people have already been removed in fiscal year 2025. The Fort Bliss facility will mainly hold single adults waiting for removal, but there are concerns about living conditions, oversight, and the use of military bases for civil immigration detention.
Local advocates and Congresswoman Escobar worry about the impact on El Paso and the use of military sites for mass detention. She has faced obstacles in trying to visit detention centers, with ICE recently denying her entry to another El Paso facility, raising questions about transparency and federal law compliance.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the Fort Bliss site could become a model for more military-based detention centers across the United States 🇺🇸, possibly doubling national detention capacity. Lawmakers and advocacy groups are expected to keep pushing for more oversight and better conditions. For official updates and resources, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Learn Today
Immigration detention → The practice of holding immigrants in custody while their legal status or deportation is processed.
Fort Bliss → A U.S. Army base in El Paso, Texas, designated for expansion of immigrant detention facilities.
Acquisition Logistics → Virginia-based company contracted for $1.25 billion to build and operate the Fort Bliss detention center.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → Federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement and oversight of detention facilities.
One Big Beautiful Bill → 2025 law providing nearly $170 billion funding to enhance immigration enforcement and detention capacity.
This Article in a Nutshell
Fort Bliss will soon host the U.S.’ largest immigration detention center, stirring controversy over ethics, transparency, and federal priorities amid mass deportation goals.
— By VisaVerge.com
