Key Takeaways
- The ACLU and allied groups have filed the first lawsuit against Camp East Montana, the largest U.S. immigration detention centre, alleging systemic human‑rights abuses.
- Three detainees have died in the facility’s first nine months; the lawsuit cites guard beatings, medical neglect, and coercive tactics to obtain deportation signatures.
- A congressionally mandated inspection uncovered 49 violations of detention standards, including 11 related to use of force and five to medical care.
- Detainees named in the suit describe physical violence: Erik Ivan Rodriguez (Venezuela) was beaten to force him to sign deportation papers, and Gerald Akari Angye (Cameroon) said guards assaulted him.
- The death of a Cuban immigrant was ruled a homicide by El Paso medical examiners (asphyxia from neck and torso compression); officials later disputed the cause of another detainee’s death, claiming a struggle during a suicide attempt.
- A fourth plaintiff died shortly after release, having been denied chemotherapy for cancer while detained.
- The Department of Homeland Security denies all allegations, asserting no abuse, no measles cases, and no spike in deaths under the Trump administration.
- The lawsuit reflects a broader trend: immigration‑detention deaths reached a 20‑year high in 2025 as the administration expanded detention capacity amid mass‑deportation policies.
Overview of the Lawsuit and Facility
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), together with several advocacy organisations, has filed a federal lawsuit against Camp East Montana, the largest immigration detention centre in the United States. Located on the Fort Bliss military base on the outskirts of El Paso, Texas, the facility opened nine months ago as part of former President Donald Trump’s mass‑deportation strategy. It currently houses more than 2,700 detainees in a sprawling tent encampment. The suit names the camp’s operator, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as defendants, seeking to halt alleged inhumane treatment and improve conditions for those held inside.
Allegations of Guard Beatings and Physical Abuse
Central to the complaint are claims that guards routinely use excessive force against detainees. Plaintiffs allege that officers have beaten individuals, employed painful restraints, and used physical violence to coerce detainees into signing deportation paperwork. The lawsuit describes a pattern of brutality that includes punches, kicks, and the use of chokeholds, which allegedly contributed to several deaths. These accusations are supported by sworn statements from detainees who say they were struck repeatedly while requesting basic medical assistance or legal counsel.
Findings from the Congressionally Mandated Inspection
In February, a congressionally mandated inspection of Camp East Montana’s temporary structures identified 49 violations of federal detention standards. Eleven of those violations pertained to “use of force and restraints,” highlighting concerns about unjustified physical interventions. Five violations were linked to “medical care,” indicating inadequate access to treatment, medication, and mental‑health services. The inspection underscores systemic shortcomings that the plaintiffs argue demonstrate a facility‑wide disregard for detainee safety and well‑being.
Testimonies of Named Plaintiffs
Two of the four named plaintiffs provide vivid accounts of abuse. Erik Ivan Rodriguez, a Venezuelan immigrant, stated that ICE officers beat him repeatedly after he refused to sign deportation documents, leaving him with bruises and a fractured rib. Gerald Akari Angye, originally from Cameroon, recounted being struck in the face and abdomen by guards during a routine transfer, an assault he says left him unable to eat for days. Both men assert that the violence was intended to intimidate them into compliance with removal proceedings, a tactic the lawsuit characterizes as unlawful and coercive.
Deaths Under Scrutiny: The Cuban Immigrant Case
The lawsuit highlights the January death of a Cuban immigrant whose autopsy, conducted by El Paso medical examiners, ruled the cause of death as homicide resulting from “asphyxia due to neck and torso compression.” This finding suggests that the detainee was subjected to a chokehold or similar restraint that obstructed breathing. ICE initially attributed the death to “medical distress,” later shifting its narrative to claim the man attempted suicide and died during a struggle with guards who tried to save him. The ACLU contends that the shift reflects an effort to obscure potential guard misconduct.
Controversy Surrounding Geraldo Lunas Campos
Another fatality involved Geraldo Lunas Campos, whose death was first described by ICE as stemming from “medical distress.” After public scrutiny, officials said Campos had attempted to take his own life and died while guards intervened to stop him. The ACLU lawsuit, however, alleges that Campos was beaten to death after repeatedly requesting his asthma medication, which was denied. The conflicting narratives illustrate the difficulty families face in obtaining transparent explanations for deaths occurring in ICE custody.
Fourth Detainee’s Death After Release
A fourth individual named in the suit died shortly after being released from Camp East Montana. While detained, he had been denied chemotherapy for a diagnosed cancer, a omission the complaint asserts contributed to his rapid decline and eventual death following release. This case underscores the lawsuit’s broader claim that inadequate medical care inside the facility can have fatal consequences even after detainees leave the premises.
Department of Homeland Security’s Response
A DHS spokesperson has categorically denied the allegations, asserting that no detainees at Camp East Montana have been beaten, abused, or denied medical care. The spokesperson emphasized that the facility recorded no measles cases as of March 12 and claimed there has been no increase in deaths among ICE detainees under the Trump administration. The statement maintains that ICE “takes seriously the health and safety of all those detained in our custody” and that any claims of inhumane conditions are unfounded.
Broader Context: Rising Detention Deaths and Policy Implications
The lawsuit emerges against a backdrop of escalating concerns about immigration detention nationwide. Advocacy groups warn that ICE’s rapid expansion of detention capacity—driven by the Trump administration’s enforcement priorities—has led to overcrowding, substandard medical care, and a rise in abusive practices. According to recent data, immigration‑detention deaths reached a 20‑year high in 2025, reflecting the human cost of heightened enforcement. The ACLU argues that legal action against Camp East Montana is necessary not only to redress alleged abuses but also to prompt systemic reforms that uphold detainees’ rights and ensure compliance with constitutional and international human‑rights standards.