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Two cases of tuberculosis and 18 cases of COVID-19 were recently identified at a massive immigration detention center in El Paso, according to city officials and a Democratic congresswoman.

El Paso’s U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar disclosed the infections after her Friday visit to Camp East Montana, the 5,000-bed tent facility the federal government hastily built last year on the Fort Bliss Army base. In a post on X, Escobar said, “Many of the chronic issues that I have reported out to the public and to members of my committee persist.”

She said medical leadership at the East Montana facility shared that information with her last month in front of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials.

City of El Paso spokesperson Laura Cruz-Acosta also confirmed the cases Saturday, writing in a statement that city health officials “received notifications related to tuberculosis at Camp East Montana through required reporting protocols.” She said that ICE, which oversees the facility, is “required to report notifiable conditions, including confirmed or suspected tuberculosis.” Texas state law mandates such reporting to local and state officials. But ICE is responsible for diagnosing, treating and managing tuberculosis and other diseases while immigrants remain in federal custody.

Tricia McLaughlin, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson, and other ICE spokespeople did not respond to detailed questions........

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