The Department of Homeland Security now says two suspected overdoses at Camp East Montana were tied to psychiatric medication and that a separate incident was the result of self-harm, telling reporters so on June 17. The disclosure lands at a rocky moment for the tented Fort Bliss facility, which has already been under intense scrutiny after multiple in-custody deaths and a string of disturbing 911 calls from inside the camp. Local attorneys, human-rights advocates, and several members of Congress argue the new details only deepen questions about medical care and oversight.
What DHS Told Reporters
In a statement to the El Paso Times, DHS said two suspected overdoses were related to an overdose of psychiatric medication and that another incident involved self-harm. The agency identified a 35-year-old detainee who, according to DHS, overdosed on psychiatric medication on May 23 and was evaluated at Rio Vista Behavioral Health before being returned to the detention center the same day. DHS also told the paper that staff follow suicide-prevention protocols and that medical care is available around the clock.
911 Calls, Inspections And The GAO Report
Recordings and logs reviewed by the Associated Press show repeated medical emergencies at the camp, including suicide attempts, seizures, and other distress calls that brought EMS to the site, according to the AP. A June report from the Government Accountability Office found Camp East Montana opened without meeting key detention standards and documented gaps in medical care, use-of-force reporting, and oversight, as detailed in the GAO. The watchdog urged immediate corrective actions and laid out recommendations that ICE and the Army have acknowledged they are working to address.
Timeline Of Overdose Calls
Local reporting and a review of 911 logs identified at least three suspected overdose incidents at the El Paso site, beginning Feb. 28, with a 60-year-old man who required an emergency response, according to the El Paso Times. DHS said the 35-year-old who overdosed on May 23 was returned to the camp after evaluation and that a 34-year-old detainee is being monitored after a May 24 incident. The paper’s reporting places those suspected overdoses within a broader pattern of mental-health crises inside Camp East Montana.
Legal And Political Fallout
In late May, civil-rights groups filed a federal lawsuit accusing ICE and contractors of systemic mistreatment at Camp East Montana. The complaint was brought by the ACLU of Texas, Human Rights Watch, and partner organizations and cites inspections, detainee declarations, and public-health problems as key evidence, according to the ACLU. Members of Congress, including Rep. Veronica Escobar, have demanded briefings and documents from DHS as calls for accountability grow louder.
What Officials Say And What Comes Next
DHS and ICE have defended their responses and told investigators they are taking steps to address the problems identified by federal auditors, including replacing the prime contractor to improve on-site care, the GAO says. NPR’s reporting on the GAO findings noted that DHS said the facility is being “upgraded” rather than considered for closure and that ICE moved the camp’s prime contract to a different operator. Advocates and legal teams say the latest overdose details will likely fuel demands for more complete incident reports, medical records, and independent oversight at Camp East Montana.
