Trump Administration approves $1.26B for nation’s largest immigrant detention center in Texas

FORT BLISS, TX - JANUARY 23, 2025: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images' editorial policy.) In this handout provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Customs and Border Protection security agents guide illegal immigrants onboard a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing for a removal flight at Fort Bliss, Texas, on Jan. 23, 2025. Under the direction of U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Transportation Command is supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement removal flights by providing military airlift. (Dept. of Defense photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas J. De La Pena)
FORT BLISS, TX - JANUARY 23, 2025: (EDITOR'S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images' editorial policy.) In this handout provided by the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Customs and Border Protection security agents guide illegal immigrants onboard a C-17 Globemaster III assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing for a removal flight at Fort Bliss, Texas, on Jan. 23, 2025. Under the direction of U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Transportation Command is supporting Immigration and Customs Enforcement removal flights by providing military airlift. (Dept. of Defense photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas J. De La Pena) Photo credit (Dept. of Defense photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas J. De La Pena)

The Trump administration has approved a massive $1.26 billion contract to build and operate the largest immigrant detention center in U.S. history - a 5,000-bed facility set to be constructed at Fort Bliss, near El Paso.

The deal, awarded to Acquisition Logistics LLC, is part of a sweeping expansion of immigration enforcement efforts under President Trump’s recent executive orders and the newly passed "One Big Beautiful Bill Act." The facility will house single adult detainees awaiting deportation and adds to a broader national push to increase bed space from roughly 40,000 to 100,000 by the end of the year.

A significant portion of the funding—about $232 million - comes from U.S. Army resources, while the rest is backed by a record-setting $45 billion budget for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Fort Bliss is one of several sites slated to use large-scale tent-style accommodations to house detainees temporarily.

Critics argue the rapid expansion raises serious humanitarian and oversight concerns, especially following reports of poor conditions and inadequate medical care at other detention sites. Civil rights advocates warn the use of military bases and private contractors could create legal gray areas and increase the risk of abuse or neglect.

Despite the criticism, federal officials say the expansion is critical to addressing overcrowding and accelerating deportation proceedings amid rising apprehensions at the southern border.

The Fort Bliss facility is expected to begin operations later this year.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: (Dept. of Defense photo by U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas J. De La Pena)