Immigration officials to use Texas military base to detain illegal migrants

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials are expected to open a new detention camp in Texas later this month, which will initially hold 1,000 illegal migrants and eventually expand to hold 5,000.

Officials will transform Texas' Fort Bliss into a giant tent complex to house the migrants while deportation proceedings are underway, according to Border Report, with construction on the new location expected to conclude in 2027.

The news comes the same day that a federal judge halted construction on Florida's "Alligator Alcatraz," over concerns that the construction plans violated federal environmental laws. The block on construction is currently in place for two weeks.

The new facility in Texas is being constructed under a Department of Defense contract worth up to $1.2 billion, and is expected to open for its first 1,000 detainees on Aug. 17. 

“After initial operating capacity is reached, the contractor will add more beds in increments of 250 beds a week, until a capacity of 3,000 beds is reached,” ICE told the outlet. “ICE personnel will be responsible for the management and operational authority pertaining to Camp East Montana.”

The new location will offer “everything a traditional detention facility offers, including access to legal representation and a law library, access to visitation, recreational space, medical treatment space and nutritionally balanced meals,” ICE said.

Federal officials also said the new facility will help reduce the strain of illegal immigration on other detention centers along the border, and will serve as a processing station that connects migrants with final deportation orders to the proper flights that will return them to their home countries.

The Pentagon has confirmed plans to construct and open the Texas location, stating it will be the "largest federal detention center in history for this critical mission — the deportation of illegal aliens,” upon completion.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.