A 31-year-old Cuban man has reported that he was violently beaten by guards at the Camp East Montana detention center, located at the Fort Bliss military base in El Paso, Texas. This incident occurred after he had gone over 20 hours without food and resorted to banging on a metal door to demand nourishment.
The account from Ricardo H. is included in the report titled "You Will Only Leave Deported or Dead: Abusive Detention of Immigrants at Fort Bliss," released this week by Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The report highlights alleged abuses within the largest immigration detention center in the United States.
According to the report, after Ricardo knocked on the door demanding food, approximately 15 officers stormed the area where he was held. "Six officers pinned me face down. I'm still experiencing severe pain in my ear and right collarbone. They even stomped on my neck. At 31, I had never faced death until that day. I genuinely thought they were going to kill me," the Cuban recounted.
Allegations of Systematic Abuse
The 84-page report is based on interviews with 80 individuals, 71 of whom were questioned while held at Camp East Montana between October 2025 and June 2026. Investigators argue that the assaults are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of punitive measures against detainees.
Testimonies suggest that officers, dressed in black with concealed faces and no visible identification, would invade units housing up to 72 individuals to suppress hunger strikes, protests over medical neglect, or complaints about detention conditions. "If someone raises their voice to defend themselves, they take it out on all of us... just for insisting our rights be respected or demanding food and medicine," stated another detainee, identified as Germán L.
Claims of Disappearances and Squalid Conditions
Human Rights Watch and the ACLU report that over 60 interviewees claimed they were detained despite having documentation proving their legal residency in the U.S. Several described their arrest as forced disappearances, alleging they were moved between detention centers by masked officers without communication with family or lawyers and without appearing in ICE's public records during that time.
The report also highlights degrading detention conditions, including bathrooms covered in feces and urine, cells flooded with sewage, a lack of soap, poor ventilation, and very restricted outdoor access.
A Cuban man, Gerardo Lunas Campos, aged 55, died in custody on January 3, 2026, while detained at Fort Bliss. The report mentions that the El Paso County Medical Examiner's autopsy found the cause of death to be compression-induced asphyxia of the neck and torso, classifying the death as a homicide. The FBI is actively investigating, and the deceased's family has filed a civil lawsuit seeking over a million dollars in damages.
Pressure to Accept Deportation
The document also suggests that Cuban and Venezuelan migrants may have faced pressure to accept deportation to Mexico while their immigration proceedings were still in progress.
DHS Denies Allegations
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has dismissed the report's conclusions, labeling the claims as "categorically false." A DHS spokesperson stated, "No detainee is being beaten or mistreated. Ensuring the safety and well-being of those in our custody is a top priority for ICE."
Angélica César, a researcher with Human Rights Watch and the ACLU, asserted that the documented incidents highlight systemic issues within the immigration detention framework. "Individuals detained at Camp East Montana are human beings who deserve to be treated with dignity and protected from harm," she emphasized.
Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration Detention in Texas
What is Camp East Montana?
Camp East Montana is an immigration detention center located at the Fort Bliss military base in El Paso, Texas. It is known as the largest immigration detention facility in the United States.
What are the allegations against the guards at Camp East Montana?
Guards at Camp East Montana are accused of using excessive force and engaging in abusive practices against detainees, including beatings and harsh punitive measures.
How has the Department of Homeland Security responded to these allegations?
The Department of Homeland Security has denied these allegations, asserting that the claims are unfounded and emphasizing their commitment to detainee safety and well-being.
What conditions are reported inside the detention center?
Reports describe unsanitary conditions such as bathrooms covered in feces, flooded cells, lack of basic hygiene supplies, and limited access to fresh air.