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Members press ICE on detention deaths, Camp East Montana and planned warehouse conversions
Summary
Lawmakers pressed ICE about multiple deaths in custody, community opposition to converting warehouses into large detention/processing sites, and oversight of contractors at Camp East Montana; ICE said investigations are ongoing and pledged community engagement and document sharing.
Members of the Homeland Security Subcommittee pressed ICE officials on deaths in custody, contractor oversight and plans to convert warehouses into large‑scale processing or detention facilities.
Representative from El Paso and other members raised reported deaths at Camp East Montana and urged accountability. Miss Escobar said community leaders and city councils were alarmed by plans to convert warehouses in Socorro and other locations to house thousands of people, noting infrastructure shortfalls. She asked whether ICE still plans to proceed with three Socorro warehouses that could house 8,500 people and requested ICE meet with local leaders.
Acting Director Lyons responded that Secretary Mullen has reviewed the detention plan and that decisions about specific locations remain under consideration. Lyons said the department purchased a San Antonio processing center that will be scalable to roughly "500 to 1,000 people" and emphasized the facility is intended as a processing center, not long‑term detention. He also welcomed committee site visits and community engagement and said the case of a January death referred to local law enforcement was now with the FBI for investigation.
On contractor oversight, members asked for the original contract relating to the large Montana facility; the chair demanded that contract be provided or an explanation given in writing within 48 hours. Lawmakers said frequent requests for information by local officials had required litigation in some counties.
Members urged ICE to reconsider siting plans if the host communities lack water, wastewater and emergency services. ICE said the new facilities are intended to be retrofitted with humane standards and claimed an intent to be transparent; members pressed for more timely responses and more documentation of oversight findings.
The committee did not take formal action at the hearing but asked agencies to follow up with documents and to coordinate community engagement.
