ICE detention camp death: contractors cited for violations

The ICE detention camp death of a construction worker in Texas has led federal regulators to cite three contractors for serious safety violations. The incident adds to growing scrutiny over conditions and oversight at one of the largest immigration detention facilities in the United States.

Hector Gonzalez, 38, died on July 21, 2025, after being crushed by falling materials while working on the construction of Camp East Montana in El Paso. The project was underway at a rapid pace to meet federal demands for expanded detention capacity.

OSHA findings highlight safety failures

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) determined that multiple subcontractors failed to follow key safety standards.

Investigators found that workers were exposed to “struck-by hazards” involving unstable loads on forklifts. In addition, some employees were not properly certified to operate heavy equipment.

Three subcontractors were cited:

• Base International
• JMJ Production Services
• Fulfillment Personnel Services

Both JMJ and Fulfillment agreed to settlements and will pay reduced fines of $15,000 each. Meanwhile, Base International is contesting its citation and a proposed penalty of $11,585.

Project tied to major federal contract

The fatal accident occurred just days after the U.S. Army awarded a contract worth up to $1.3 billion to Acquisition Logistics to build and operate the detention facility at Fort Bliss.

The site quickly became the largest detention center operated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), at times housing more than 3,000 migrants awaiting deportation or legal proceedings.

However, the project has faced mounting criticism.

Growing scrutiny over detention conditions

The ICE detention camp death is not an isolated concern. Reports have raised alarms about:

• Inhumane living conditions
• Disease outbreaks
• Deaths of three detainees in late 2025 and early 2026

A February inspection by ICE’s oversight office identified dozens of violations of national detention standards.

As scrutiny intensified, ICE replaced Acquisition Logistics with a new contractor, Amentum Services, through a no-bid contract.

Political and ethical concerns emerge

The case has also drawn political attention. Base International is owned by Nathan Albers, a donor to Republican campaigns and an associate of former President Donald Trump.

Advocacy group Public Citizen criticized the federal government’s handling of the project, citing both safety lapses and the scale of taxpayer funding.

“The administration is distributing billions in contracts that have led to multiple deaths,” said researcher Douglas Pasternak in a report released Monday.

What happens next

Base International’s appeal will determine whether the company must pay fines or face further penalties. If no agreement is reached, the case will proceed to a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Meanwhile, the ICE detention camp death continues to fuel broader questions about contractor oversight, workplace safety, and conditions inside U.S. immigration facilities.