Rep. Escobar Says ICE Blocked Her From Speaking With Detainees at Camp East Montana

Rep. Veronica Escobar said federal officials prevented her from speaking with detainees during an oversight visit last month to Camp East Montana at Fort Bliss — the country’s largest ICE detention site, with capacity for up to 5,000 people — and have not provided surveillance footage she requested. DHS reported two “disturbances” in September, including one on September 7 in which around 130 detainees allegedly threw items and disabled cameras. At least three people held there have died in ICE custody, including a 55-year-old man whose January death was ruled a homicide. Four GAO recommendations for the site remain open. DHS said any member of Congress “can still request to speak with any illegal alien in ICE custody.”