El Paso: 911 Audios Expose Overdoses in ICE Detention Facility

Two 911 calls from the detention center Camp East Montana in El Paso revealed 2 overdoses that occurred on May 23 and 24. The records, obtained by El Paso Times through a public information request, put renewed pressure on ICE and the Department of Homeland Security.

The calls were made by 2 men, ages 35 and 34. Medical personnel at the facility made the calls, but provided limited information. The El Paso Fire Department responded to both emergencies, although the health status of those affected remains unknown.

The case adds to a long list of complaints about the facility, considered the largest in the country. Civil organizations and lawmakers insist that medical and safety conditions require urgent oversight. The news also reopens the debate over care in migrant detention centers in the United States.

What Do the 911 Audios Reveal About Camp East Montana?

The records show a first call at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 23. The second occurred at 9:18 a.m. on Sunday, May 24. Both are related to overdoses at Camp East Montana, operated by ICE in El Paso.

It is unclear whether the 2 men were detainees, but the information does confirm a serious medical emergency within the facility. The fact that staff had to call 911 suggests insufficient or delayed internal response. This point has generated concern among civil rights advocates.

Charlotte Weiss, attorney for the Texas Civil Rights Project, said the news is “deeply disturbing.” She also stated that the overdoses reflect already-documented concerns about medical care, mental health, protection, and safety. Her remarks align with previous complaints about the same facility.

Why Does This Facility Face So Many Complaints?

Camp East Montana opened in August 2025 and has since been targeted for criticism over human rights abuses. The facility has a capacity of 5,000 people and is considered the largest in the United States. Its size, far from alleviating the crisis, has multiplied complaints.

In April 2026, Amentum Services took over facility operations. It replaced Acquisitions Logistics, a company whose contract was terminated following multiple reports of mismanagement. The change aimed to correct failures, but new complaints show the problems persist.

An internal ICE investigation detected 49 violations at the site when operated by Acquisitions Logistics. The report included 22 deficiencies on use of force and restraints, 11 on security and control, and 5 on medical care. It also documented failures in complaint procedures, sexual abuse prevention, and phone access.