Overview

• DoD formalized a $1.26 billion contract with Acquisition Logistics for a 5,000-bed hardened soft-sided facility at Fort Bliss designated as a deportation hub and the top-priority project.
• ICE plans to open the tent camp by August to ease overcrowding following a surge to 57,861 detainees against a 41,500-bed capacity.
• Nine additional hardened soft-sided sites in Colorado, Indiana and New Jersey are in development to add more than 9,000 beds before year-end.
• Acquisition Logistics has no prior detention experience and will construct and operate the tent facility under the contract.
• Human rights advocates warn that soft-sided centers may fall short of basic ICE detention standards and pose elevated health and safety risks.