Home / Crime and Justice / ICE Detainees Allege Brutal Beatings at Border Camp
ICE Detainees Allege Brutal Beatings at Border Camp
18 Oct
Summary
- Detainees allege guards beat them for refusing removal to Mexico.
- Masked personnel allegedly forced detainees to cross the border.
- Oversight reports found deficiencies, including use of force.
Detainees at Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) largest detention facility, Camp East Montana at Fort Bliss, have filed a motion for a preliminary injunction. They are asking a federal judge to intervene, citing sworn accounts of alleged abuse by guards.
The allegations include guards beating individuals who refused removal to Mexico. Some detainees also claim masked personnel forced them toward the southern border, ordering them to jump into Mexico and reportedly beating those who refused.
Supporting declarations from 43 individuals, alongside medical records and government oversight reports, form the basis of the plaintiffs' claims. These reports have identified significant deficiencies, including issues with use of force and restraints, despite an overall "Acceptable/Adequate" rating.
The Department of Homeland Security has categorically denied the allegations, calling them a "smear campaign." However, the preliminary injunction motion presents the detainees' evidence, seeking urgent protection against alleged systemic issues.
One detainee described severe injuries after refusing removal, while another alleged being told to "jump" into Mexico. These claims are part of a larger motion detailing alleged excessive force and systemic medical failures within the facility.
