The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is once again calling out what it describes as politically motivated “hoaxes” spewed by far-left media, this time aimed at a new ICE detention facility in El Paso.
DHS published a direct response to a Washington Post article that claimed detainees at Camp East Montana at Fort Bliss were living in “inhumane” conditions. Within the response, the agency claims that the Washington Post essentially cherry-picked old inspection notes on the detention facility and twisted them into a smear campaign against ICE.
“As our brave ICE law enforcement is facing a more than 1000% increase in assaults, the Washington Post is choosing to smear them,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. She would go on to assure that all detainees at Fort Bliss receive food, proper medical care, access to attorneys and family, even adding that the health care provided in ICE custody is often the best many illegal immigrants have ever received.
“This is the best healthcare that many aliens have received in their entire lives. Meals are certified by dieticians. Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority at ICE,” McLaughlin added.
The DHS statement directly pointed out and countered several of the Washington Post’s main claims, stressing that the detainees always had working toilets and sinks, recreation “opportunities,” and three certified meals a day. Additionally, the DHS states that the medical care, which includes mental health services, is provided by licensed psychiatric professionals.
The agency also specifically dismissed allegations of understaffing, extreme unnecessary force used on detainees, and denial of access to lawyers or legal “representatives,” saying that these false accusations lacked any real evidence.
This is not the first time DHS has had to push back against media rumors published by the far-left media outlets, specifically surrounding inhumane conditions at its detention facilities.
As The Dallas Express reported earlier in September, very similar accusations were thrown against the high-security “Alligator Alcatraz” facility, which houses some of the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens in the country. In that case, McLaughlin also quickly shut down claims of abuse and neglect as merely hoaxes; again, insisting detainees were provided medical treatment, clean facilities, and access to legal representation.
For DHS and McLaughlin, the issue is bigger than media hoaxes or false accusations.
Agency leaders and others within the Trump administration continue to argue that far-left outlets are trying to push a negative narrative on immigration enforcement officers at a time when assaults on ICE agents are skyrocketing.
“Following the evil act of political violence in the country this week and two brutal assaults on our brave ICE law enforcement last week, we are once again calling on the media and the far left to stop the hateful rhetoric directed at President Trump, those who support him, and our brave DHS law enforcement,” McLaughlin said in a separate report from the DHS this week.
She then posted over 10 videos of some of the most prominent political leaders on the left, each showcasing them using violent rhetoric or dangerous terminology that borders on calling for violence, directed at ICE and the right in general. From Tim Walz calling ICE the “modern day Gestapo,” to Rep. Jasmine Crockett comparing ICE to “slave patrols,” as well as Boston Mayor Michelle Wu speaking on how ICE is similar to a “Neo-Nazi” group.
With border arrests and detentions once again on the rise, as well as attacks on ICE agents, the DHS is doubling down on expanding its capacity for detention facilities nationwide.
From Alligator Alcatraz to Camp East Montana, the message from DHS is clear: despite what the headlines say, detention facilities are operating under proper federal standards, and America’s ICE officers won’t be stopped or slowed by what they see as “fake news.”