US Migrant Detention Centers Accused of Abuse and Fatalities

The State of Mexico’s Human Rights Commission (CODHEM) condemned alleged abuses by U.S. immigration authorities, warning that migrants under U.S. control have suffered deaths and violations of fundamental rights. CODHEM urged respect for due process, non‑discrimination and coordinated assistance for Mexican nationals detained abroad.

Human Rights Watch and the ACLU released an 84‑page report on Camp East Montana, the largest U.S. migrant detention facility in Fort Bliss, Texas. Based on 80 interviews, the study documents frequent beatings, medical neglect, overcrowding, obstruction of communication with lawyers and families, and cases that may constitute forced disappearances. The report cites the death of Cuban detainee Geraldo Lunas Campos, who was reportedly beaten and suffocated by guards. The organizations called for the center’s immediate closure and independent investigations, while the Department of Homeland Security rejected the allegations and affirmed that detainees receive dignified treatment and medical care.