The U.S. is building its largest immigrant detention center yet in West Texas, designed to hold up to 5,000 people.
According to a Department of Defense press release, Acquisition Logistics LLC secured a $232 million upfront payment as part of a $1.26 billion contract to construct the new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility, in line with Presidential Executive Order 14159. The company beat out 12 other bidders.
The detention center will be located at Fort Bliss in El Paso and is slated for completion by September 30, 2027. At least four other firms will assist with construction, medical care, security, and other services, according to sources familiar with the project.
Planned as a tent-style camp—a model previously favored by the Trump administration—the facility is intended for short-term housing of migrants awaiting deportation.
This marks the largest contract award in Acquisition Logistics LLC’s history. Until now, the company had received $29 million in federal contracts over the past five fiscal years, including a $5 million award earlier this year for lodging and conference room services tied to southern border operations.
Interest in detention infrastructure has grown following the rapid construction of Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” in the Everglades. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently said five other states are in talks to use it as a blueprint.
“As you all know, we need to double our capacity and detention beds because we need to facilitate getting people out of this country as fast as possible and to sustain our operations,” Noem stated.
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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