The United States government will open the largest detention center for migrants in the country in the coming weeks, with an initial capacity of around 1,000 people, located within the Fort Bliss military base, just outside El Paso, Texas.
According to a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported to the agency EFE, authorities plan to expand the facilities to accommodate 5,000 people.
The complex, made up of canvas buildings, will begin operations on August 17 and is part of the campaign for mass arrests and deportations led by President Donald Trump.
The spokesperson for DHS, Tricia McLaughlin, assured EFE that the Government is "exploring all available options to expand detention capacity" in the country, including the use of other military bases.
The Pentagon has already authorized facilities at Camp Atterbury, Indiana, and at the McGuire Dix-Lakehurst base in New Jersey. Additionally, the controversial transfer of migrants to the naval base in Guantanamo, Cuba.
The opening of the Fort Bliss center comes amid allegations of human rights abuses and overcrowding in immigrant detention facilities.
This week, the office of Democratic Senator Jon Osoff released a report documenting at least 500 cases of abuse against individuals in the custody of DHS since the beginning of the Trump administration, including in military bases.
The report details 41 complaints of physical and sexual abuse, 14 cases of mistreatment of pregnant women, and 18 involving minors, the majority of which occurred in Texas.
Detention centers at the center of the controversy
The administration of President Donald Trump plans to build five new mega detention centers for immigrants in various states governed by Republicans, following the model of the “Alligator Alcatraz” in Florida, a prison located in a swampy area teeming with alligators.
In Florida, they will build another one at Camp Blanding, a National Guard training center about 43 kilometers from Jacksonville.
The new center, provisionally named "North Detention Facility," would be added to the controversial complex located in the Everglades, which began operations on July 1 and has faced numerous complaints from civil rights groups and environmentalists.
“Alligator Alcatraz”, with a capacity to hold 3,000 migrants, has been criticized for its detention conditions, described as inhumane, with migrants confined in cages, handcuffed, and lacking adequate access to basic health and hygiene services.
The conditions include overcrowding, extreme heat, and a lack of adequate drinking water.
The legal rights of those detained in "Alligator Alcatraz" are being violated by preventing their access to lawyers, holding them without charges, and canceling bail hearings. Additionally, violations of the right to confidentiality between attorney and client have been reported.
Frequently Asked Questions about the New Immigrant Detention Centers in the U.S.
Where will the largest immigrant detention center in the U.S. be located?
The largest immigration detention center will be located at the Fort Bliss military base in Texas. This center will begin operations on August 17 and will have an initial capacity for 1,000 people, with plans to expand to accommodate up to 5,000 detainees.
Why has Fort Bliss been chosen for this detention center?
Fort Bliss has been chosen due to its strategic location near the Mexico border, which facilitates deportation operations. In addition, the use of military bases allows for a rapid increase in detention capacity in response to the immigration policy of the Trump administration.
What complaints have been filed regarding detention centers for immigrants?
There have been reports of human rights abuses, overcrowding, and inhumane conditions in these centers. A report by Democratic Senator Jon Osoff documents at least 500 cases of abuse since the beginning of the Trump administration, including allegations of physical and sexual abuse.
What is the "Alligator Alcatraz" and why is it controversial?
"Alligator Alcatraz" is a detention center for immigrants located in Florida, known for its extreme conditions and the hostile environment of the Everglades. It has been criticized by human rights organizations and environmentalists for the inhumane conditions and lack of access to basic services and legal advice.
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