Chicago – June 10, 2026
Mismanagement at a massive Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Texas created unsafe conditions that contributed to detainee deaths and suffering even as millions of wasted tax dollars enriched contractors, according to a federal report released Tuesday.
Millions of taxpayer dollars were wasted because the facility’s contract structure required payments for services and meals that were not actually needed. The report cited roughly $11.5 million spent before detainees even arrived, along with additional costs tied to unused capacity. The center opened before construction and required inspections were complete, resulting in deficiencies such as inadequate medical services, missing security infrastructure, and noncompliance with detention standards. The report found serious health and safety failures, including inadequate tuberculosis screening, poor sanitation, and insufficient care for detainees with chronic illnesses such as diabetes and HIV.
Three detainees died within a little over six months. In one case, evidence connected to a death investigation was reported as “missing or destroyed.” Another detainee died by suicide after staff allegedly failed to follow suicide-prevention procedures. The facility was initially operated by Acquisition Logistics, a company that reportedly had no prior experience running detention centers. Federal officials later replaced the contractor and said they are working to improve conditions and oversight.
ICE rushed to open the camp in August before construction was complete and failed to conduct required oversight to ensure detainees were held in sanitary conditions and receiving adequate medical care, according to the report.
