In brief
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited three subcontractors for safety violations relating to the death of Hector Gonzalez, who was killed in a construction accident while helping to build Camp East Montana for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. As the detention center opened amid controversy over conditions and operations, safety practices at construction sites associated with federal contracts come under scrutiny.
Federal regulators have cited three contractors, including one owned by a campaign donor to former President Donald Trump, for safety violations leading to the death of worker Hector Gonzalez during the construction of an immigration detention center in El Paso, Texas.
On July 21, 2025, Gonzalez, 38, died after being crushed by falling materials. This construction site, Camp East Montana, was under pressure to open quickly due to a substantial contract awarded shortly before his death.
The report compiling safety violations was released by watchdog organization Public Citizen, indicating areas where safety protocols might not have been followed during construction.
Despite a massive $1.3 billion contract awarded to Acquisition Logistics by the Army to initiate construction at the Fort Bliss site, which soon became ICE’s largest detention center, the facility has been compromised by allegations of inhumane conditions and several deaths among detainees.
In a recent inspection of the ongoing operation of the facility, federal oversight uncovered dozens of violations, prompting ICE to replace Acquisition Logistics as the prime contractor with Amentum Services.
Safety violations related to Gonzalez's death were investigated by OSHA, leading to citations against subcontractors Base International, JMJ Production Services, and Fulfillment Personnel Services. Base International, connected to significant political donations, is contesting the penalties imposed against them, claiming no wrongdoing took place.
Public Citizen researcher Douglas Pasternak commented on the findings, indicating that taxpayer funds are being allocated to contracts associated with a troubling safety record. With multiple fatalities reported, further scrutiny of contractor practices and safety standards remains essential.
