According to a recent report by Amnesty International, human rights violations have occurred in the ICE immigration detention facility in El Paso.
At ICE’s El Paso Service Processing Center, Amnesty International researchers discovered evidence of arbitrary detention, systematic abuse of prisoners, and a disrespect for both U.S. and international human rights norms.
Researchers also discovered a denial of due process for migrants at the facility and targeting of Venezuelans under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which the Trump administration is using to deport Venezuelan migrants they claim are Tren de Aragua gang members.
“This [Trump] administration is detaining people and carrying out mass deportations without regard for human rights, dignity, or accountability,” Amy Fischer, Director of Refugee and Migrant Rights at Amnesty International USA, stated in a news statement on the report. “This is not a functional immigration policy — it’s an all-out attack on immigrant communities where cruelty is used as a weapon to encourage people to give up their rights and self-deport.”
Researchers heard detainees describe physical torture, such as solitary confinement, a lack of medical care, and ruined food, among other inhumane situations. Researchers were also informed by detainees that many Venezuelans were afraid of being deported to El Salvador and that there was a total lack of access to legal information and assistance.
“We just want a solution as fast as possible,” one individual detained in the facility told researchers. “People don’t sleep. It’s cold at night. We do not get medicine. There is blood coming from my throat. Everyone has stomach issues because of the food and lack of nutrition. We have no access to clean water; it is hot and smells like chemicals.”
What human rights abuses were found at EPSPC?
In April 2025, International visited the Montana Avenue institution and spoke with 27 inmates, as well as various local groups and legal, humanitarian, and social support providers. In the past, the El Paso ICE facility has been accused of mistreating immigrants who are being held for deportation. Agents at the prison forced eleven migrants who went on a hunger strike in 201,9 protesting the circumstances, according to the El Paso Times.
Venezuelans have been unfairly singled out and falsely accused of being gang-affiliated under the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act. They have also been arbitrarily detained and taken without due process, including to El Salvador, where they risk torture and cruel prison conditions. People at EPSPC said that Venezuelans are subjected to solitary confinement, excessive physical abuse by guards, and labeled as “alien enemies” based only on their country and tattoos—all without following the proper procedures.
According to Amnesty International, the circumstances at EPSPC are in violation of both international and U.S. custody standards. In EPSPC, inmates described being physically abused by guards, being sent to solitary confinement, living in filthy, cramped quarters with broken toilets, receiving subpar, expired food, and receiving insufficient medical attention.
Trump’s call for widespread deportation
To achieve its objectives of border security and mass deportations, the Trump administration is attempting to raise the Department of Homeland Security’s budget to $200 billion. To aid in deportation operations, the Trump administration has suggested constructing an immigrant detention center on El Paso’s Fort Bliss property.
Global grassroots human rights group Amnesty International opposes the Trump administration’s plan to increase DHS’s budget.