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Immigration detention camp in Texas closed amid measles outbreak, raising health concerns for detainees.
A measles outbreak has prompted authorities to close a large immigration detention facility near El Paso to visitors and attorneys, according to U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar. The Texas Democrat confirmed Tuesday that 14 active measles cases have been identified at Camp East Montana, located on Fort Bliss Army base, with 112 individuals currently under isolation protocols.
The facility will remain closed to outside access until at least March 19 or 20, creating concerns about detainees’ ability to connect with legal representation during this period.
“While on one hand, it is a good thing that the measles outbreak is being taken seriously, on the other hand, I am alarmed that a preventable crisis has created conditions where detainees can only access their lawyers virtually,” Escobar said in a statement.
As of Tuesday afternoon, neither U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) nor the Department of Homeland Security had responded to requests for comment on the situation.
The outbreak highlights ongoing concerns about conditions at the facility, which opened last year under a $1.3 billion contract awarded to Virginia-based Acquisition Logistics LLC. The contractor had no previous experience operating ICE detention facilities before receiving this substantial government contract.
Detainees have consistently reported troubling conditions at the camp, where approximately 3,000 people are housed daily. Reports describe overcrowded and unsanitary living quarters, easy transmission of diseases, and difficulty obtaining adequate rest due to noise and overcrowding.
The current measles outbreak is particularly concerning given the disease’s high contagion rate and the close quarters in which detainees are held. Measles spreads through airborne transmission and can remain viable in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a space, making it especially dangerous in communal living situations.
This outbreak comes as part of a worrying trend in Texas, where measles—a disease declared eliminated in the United States in 2000—has made a significant resurgence. Public health experts point to underfunded vaccination programs and declining immunization rates as primary factors in this resurgence. West Texas communities have been particularly affected by measles outbreaks over the past year.
The situation at Camp East Montana reflects broader public health challenges facing detention facilities nationwide, where close quarters, transient populations, and varying vaccination standards create ideal conditions for disease transmission. Immigration advocates have long raised concerns about healthcare access and disease prevention measures in detention settings.
Medical experts emphasize that measles is entirely preventable through vaccination, with the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine providing approximately 97% protection with two doses. However, vaccination rates have declined in many communities across the United States in recent years, leaving populations vulnerable to outbreaks of previously controlled diseases.
For immigration facilities, the challenge is particularly acute as detainees come from countries with varying vaccination protocols and may arrive without complete immunization records. Standard intake procedures typically include health screenings, but the effectiveness of these measures has been questioned by healthcare advocates.
As the facility remains closed to outside visitors, concerns mount about detainees’ access to legal assistance and oversight of conditions inside the camp. While virtual legal consultations are being offered as an alternative, advocates argue this arrangement limits effective legal representation at a time when many detainees are navigating complex immigration proceedings.
The closure is expected to last approximately one week, though public health officials will continue monitoring the situation and may extend restrictions if new cases emerge or containment measures prove insufficient.
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13 Comments
It’s troubling to hear about this measles outbreak at the immigration detention camp. Preventable diseases should not be spreading in these facilities. I hope the authorities can quickly get the situation under control and restore safe visitation access.
Agreed. Detainee health and safety should be the top priority, but legal access must also be maintained during these types of outbreaks.
A measles outbreak in an immigration detention center is very concerning. Proper medical care and disease containment protocols are essential to protect the wellbeing of detainees. I hope the authorities can resolve this issue swiftly.
The closure of this immigration detention camp to visitors due to a measles outbreak raises serious questions about the medical preparedness and conditions within these facilities. Preventable disease outbreaks are unacceptable.
This measles outbreak at the immigration detention camp is very concerning. Proper medical care and containment protocols are crucial to protect the health and wellbeing of detainees. I hope authorities are able to quickly control the situation and resume safe visitor access.
Yes, the health risks posed by infectious disease outbreaks in these facilities are worrying. Ensuring detainees have access to legal representation despite the temporary closure is also an important consideration.
This measles outbreak at the immigration detention facility is deeply worrying. Ensuring adequate healthcare and preventing the spread of infectious diseases in these centers should be an urgent priority for authorities.
Absolutely. The ability of detainees to maintain contact with legal counsel during this closure period is also a critical concern that needs to be addressed.
The news of a measles outbreak at this immigration detention camp is extremely troubling. Proper infection control and medical care for detainees must be ensured, even if it means temporary visitor restrictions. I hope the authorities can swiftly resolve this crisis.
Yes, the ability of detainees to maintain contact with legal counsel during this closure period is a critical issue that needs to be addressed urgently.
This measles outbreak at the immigration detention center is very concerning. Protecting the health and safety of detainees should be the top priority, but legal access must also be maintained during such outbreaks.
The closure of this facility to visitors due to the measles outbreak raises serious questions about the conditions and medical care available at immigration detention centers. Proper preventative measures and prompt response to health issues should be a priority.
Absolutely. The ability of detainees to maintain contact with legal counsel during this closure period is a critical concern that needs to be addressed.