The Trump administration has opened what it calls the largest federal immigration detention center in U.S. history, as large-scale deportations continue nationwide.
The “Lone Star Lockup,” located at Fort Bliss, Texas, began operations Sunday under a $1.2 billion Defense Department contract. The facility currently has 1,000 beds, with plans to expand to 5,000 by 2027. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials say it includes legal access areas, medical units, and recreational spaces.
Supporters, such as Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), argue the center will reduce overcrowding and expedite deportations. “Fort Bliss is an amazing military facility,” Gonzales said. “We should be supporting this, not attacking it.”
But critics warn of risks. Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) said the money enriches private contractors instead of addressing local needs. The ACLU of Texas called the facility a “shameful” milestone in Trump’s immigration agenda, citing potential human rights abuses and extreme heat dangers.
El Paso County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution opposing the center, demanding more transparency and local oversight.
The Fort Bliss site follows other controversial facilities, including Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz,” which has faced allegations of unsanitary conditions. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced a second facility, the “Deportation Depot,” capable of holding 2,000 detainees.
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