U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to keep one of its largest detention facilities open for at least another year. This decision comes despite reports of human rights abuses. ICE plans to extend the no-bid contract of the firm running Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, through September 2027. This could cost taxpayers an additional $776 million. The facility has faced criticism from Democratic members of Congress and advocacy organizations. Reports allege detainees have been mistreated since its opening in 2025. ICE argues that relocating detainees or changing contractors would be impractical and costly.

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FILE - A sign marks the entrance to a series of hardened tents at the Camp East Montana immigrant detention center in the desert at a U.S. Army base on the outskirts of El Paso, Texas, Feb. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Morgan Lee, File)

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FILE - An ICE Special Response Team member stands guard outside the Metropolitan Detention Center, while protesters gather outside to denounce the ICE, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, operations, June 10, 2025, in downtown Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer, File)