ACLU and Human Rights Watch Call for Closure of Fort Bliss Detention Site

Located at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, the facility holds up to 5,000 people. Investigators interviewed 71 detainees who described a climate of fear, including reports of excessive force by guards and, in one instance, an extrajudicial killing. Detainees cited living quarters flooded with dirty water, bathrooms contaminated with human waste, and a lack of basic hygiene that fueled widespread infections.

Personal testimonies highlight the gravity of the allegations. One detainee, identified as Ricardo H., described being beaten by six officers after verbally protesting a delayed meal. Another, Armando G., recounted being tackled and choked by guards during a hunger strike. Angélica César, a fellow at Human Rights Watch, characterized the site as a human rights disaster. The report urges federal authorities to initiate independent investigations into all deaths and abuses occurring within the camp while calling for a fundamental shift in current detention and deportation policies.