Mystery Surrounds Trump’s $1.2 Billion Army Contract For Huge Detention Tent Camp

The Trump administration recently awarded a contract worth up to $1.2 billion to build and operate the nation’s largest immigration detention complex. Surprisingly, the contract was given to a small business called Acquisition Logistics LLC, which has no experience in running a correction facility. The company lacks a functioning website and lists a modest home in suburban Virginia as its address.

The Pentagon has refused to release details about the contract or explain why Acquisition Logistics was chosen over other bidders. The facility, located at Fort Bliss in West Texas, has already started accepting detainees, raising concerns about the company’s ability to manage such a large project.

Critics have pointed out the lack of transparency in the contracting process, especially considering the size and scope of the project. Rep. Veronica Escobar, who represents the district where Fort Bliss is located, expressed worries about standards slipping in privately run facilities.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, has been tight-lipped about the detention camp. The agency’s spokeswoman mentioned that the facility will offer standard services like access to legal representation, medical treatment, and meals.

The construction of the camp, named Camp East Montana, began quickly after the contract was awarded. The facility is being built in the desert near the U.S.-Mexico border, raising concerns about extreme weather conditions and access to the site.

Critics have compared the Fort Bliss facility to the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center in Florida, which faced lawsuits and complaints about its conditions. The majority of ICE detainees are housed in private prisons, but the agency is exploring temporary options at military bases as well.

The bidding process for the Fort Bliss project was limited to small businesses like Acquisition Logistics, which benefits from preferential status as a veteran and Hispanic-owned small disadvantaged business. One of the losing bidders has filed a protest challenging the award.

The lack of transparency and experience of the chosen contractor has raised red flags among experts and lawmakers. The Trump administration’s rush to fulfill its immigration goals has led to an increase in military involvement in detention facilities, sparking concerns about oversight and accountability.