Mystery surrounds $1.2B Army contract to build huge detention tent camp in Texas

Mystery Surrounding the $1.2 Billion Army Contract for a Massive Detention Tent Camp in Texas

A cloud of secrecy and controversy envelops a $1.2 billion U.S. Army contract awarded in July 2025 to construct and operate what is described as the nation’s largest immigration detention facility—a sprawling tent camp on the Fort Bliss military base near El Paso, Texas. The project, aimed at housing up to 5,000 migrants awaiting deportation as part of President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement agenda, has drawn sharp criticism for its rushed timeline, lack of transparency, and the selection of an obscure, inexperienced contractor. The Pentagon has stonewalled requests for details, citing ongoing litigation, while advocacy groups warn of potential human rights abuses and historical parallels to wartime internment camps. As of August 28, 2025, the facility has begun accepting its first detainees, amplifying concerns over its operations.

Background and Project Details

The contract stems from Trump’s pledge to deport an estimated 10 million undocumented migrants, backed by a record $45 billion allocation for immigration enforcement in a recent tax and spending bill. The Army is financing the initial phase, with the Department of Defense announcing $232 million for the first 1,000 beds. Site preparation at Fort Bliss began months before the bill’s passage, and construction accelerated rapidly after the July 18, 2025, contract award.

• Facility Specifications: The camp, located in the remote Texas desert, features large temporary structures including three white tents, each approximately 810 feet (250 meters) long, as confirmed by August 7, 2025, satellite imagery from Planet Labs analyzed by the Associated Press. Surrounding these are about a half-dozen smaller buildings for support functions. When fully operational, it will be the largest U.S. immigration detention center, surpassing existing facilities run by private prison operators like Geo Group and CoreCivic.
• Contract Scope: Issued under a June 9, 2025, solicitation, the deal requires the contractor to handle construction, security, medical care, and daily operations. It includes a strict non-disclosure clause mandating that all inquiries from Congress or the media be routed to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The facility is overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which declined to comment.

This marks a shift toward militarizing immigration enforcement, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approving the use of Fort Bliss. The administration has signaled plans for similar setups at other bases to address overcrowding in ICE facilities.

The Contractor: Acquisition Logistics LLC

The award went to Acquisition Logistics LLC, a small Virginia-based firm with no apparent track record in correctional or detention operations. This decision has fueled the “mystery,” as the company was selected over at least a dozen competitors, including more established bidders.

• Company Profile: Founded as a veteran- and Hispanic-owned small disadvantaged business (SDB), Acquisition Logistics qualifies for federal set-asides under rules requiring at least 51% ownership by individuals from designated disadvantaged groups—a program the Trump administration has sought to eliminate despite its long-standing role in promoting diversity in contracting. The firm’s headquarters is listed at a modest three-bedroom home in suburban Richmond, Virginia, owned by its president and CEO, 77-year-old retired Navy flight officer Kenneth A. Wagner. Wagner did not respond to outreach attempts, and no one answered at the address. The company has no functioning website, limited public records, and its largest prior federal contract was under $16 million—mostly for logistics support, not detention facilities.
• Why the Secrecy?: The Pentagon has refused to release the full contract or justify the selection, citing a protest filed by a losing bidder. Experts suggest Acquisition Logistics may be a front or partner for a larger entity, as small firms often subcontract major work. For instance, Geo Group CEO George Zoley mentioned in an August 2025 earnings call partnering with an unnamed “established Pentagon contractor” for migrant housing, though Geo denied direct ties to Acquisition Logistics. CoreCivic also confirmed no partnership. Contracting attorney David Schnell noted that such arrangements are common but require disclosure, which hasn’t occurred here.

Controversies and Criticisms

The project’s opacity and the contractor’s inexperience have sparked bipartisan concerns, with a recent congressional tour highlighting risks.

• Legal Challenges: Texas-based Gemini Tech Services protested the award to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), arguing the rushed process violated procurement rules and questioning Acquisition Logistics’ qualifications. The Army’s response remains pending, halting further disclosures.
• Human Rights and Historical Concerns: Advocacy groups like Detention Watch Network decry the facility’s location on a remote military base, evoking World War II-era internment of Japanese Americans at Fort Bliss. Spokesperson Setareh Ghandehari noted that such sites limit family access, exacerbating abuse and neglect risks. A Democratic member of Congress who toured the site expressed alarm at entrusting a “small and inexperienced firm” with operations for 5,000 people, including vulnerable families.
• Broader Implications: Critics, including immigration experts, view this as emblematic of the administration’s hasty push for mass deportations, bypassing civilian agencies in favor of the military. On X (formerly Twitter), users have labeled it “massive theft in plain sight” and tied it to profiteering behind inhumane policies. The use of tents raises questions about living conditions in the harsh desert environment, with potential for overcrowding and inadequate care.

Current Status and Outlook

As of August 28, 2025, the facility is operational with initial detainees transferred from overcrowded ICE centers. Construction continues despite the protest, but a GAO ruling could delay expansion. The administration defends the project as essential for national security, but transparency demands persist from lawmakers and watchdogs. If similar camps proliferate, they could redefine U.S. immigration infrastructure, blending military and civilian roles amid ongoing legal battles. For updates, monitor AP News or official DHS releases, as the situation evolves rapidly.