ICE proposes Camp East Montana contract extension through 2027 at potential $776 million cost

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to extend Amentum Services Inc.’s contract to operate Camp East Montana at Fort Bliss near El Paso through Sept. 30, 2027, under a proposed noncompetitive contract action.

The extension could add up to $776 million in potential federal spending, according to a procurement notice published on SAM.gov. That would come on top of the $452 million initial contract Amentum received in March 2026.

The figures describe potential contract value, not money already obligated or paid. If the proposed extension proceeds, Amentum’s potential compensation for operating the facility from March 2026 through September 2027 would exceed $1.2 billion.

Why ICE says it wants to extend the contract

ICE is pursuing the extension without a new competitive bidding process. The agency said relocating detainees would be impractical because other detention facilities have limited available capacity.

The procurement justification also cites the facility’s proprietary infrastructure and the costs and risks of changing contractors. ICE said replacing Amentum would require finding new workers and could create duplicative expenses. The agency warned that a lapse in contract coverage could disrupt detention operations and create safety, legal and humanitarian risks.

Camp East Montana is located at Fort Bliss, an Army installation near El Paso. It is a federal detention operation, not a facility operated or controlled by the City of El Paso.

Closure calls and condition allegations

Democratic members of Congress and advocacy organizations have called for Camp East Montana to close. Their demands follow scrutiny of conditions at the facility, which opened in August 2025.

A report from Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union alleged that detainees were beaten, denied medical care, housed in unsanitary conditions and served inedible meals. Those claims are allegations from the advocacy groups and should not be presented as proven findings in every instance.

The Associated Press reported separately that federal agency reviews identified unsafe detention conditions and questioned spending by the Army and ICE on services described as unnecessary. AP also reported that at least three Camp East Montana detainees have died.

Amentum spokesperson Chanel Mann referred questions to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, which had not immediately returned AP’s requests for comment.

What the proposal means for El Paso

If the planned contract action proceeds, federal detention operations near El Paso would continue through Sept. 30, 2027. The proposal also keeps federal spending, contractor oversight and detainee welfare at the center of local congressional and public debate.

The SAM.gov notice supports the proposed extension and ICE’s justification for avoiding a new competition. A final contract modification would be needed to confirm whether the extension is awarded and how much money is ultimately obligated or paid.

Sources

• SAM.gov contract notice for Camp East Montana extension
• Associated Press: ICE extends Camp East Montana no-bid contract
• The Washington Post: ICE extends no-bid contract for Camp East Montana