Federal regulators have cited three contractors, including one linked to a campaign donor to former President Donald Trump, for safety violations that led to the death of a worker involved in the construction of a major immigration detention center last year.
After the investigation into the tragic death of Hector Gonzalez, 38, who was crushed by materials at the construction site of Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) deemed the violations serious. Gonzalez's death occurred on July 21, 2025, as contractors hurried to complete the project, which opened the following month and became a key detention center for immigrants awaiting deportation proceedings.
Reports indicate that the contractors in question were operating under a $1.3 billion contract awarded to Acquisition Logistics by the Army. The camp was described as troubled and has faced numerous allegations concerning inhumane conditions, unhealthy environments, and subsequent deaths of detainees earlier this year.
Public Citizen, a watchdog group, released findings highlighting the alarming trend of contractor negligence associated with significant government contracts, especially those benefiting politically connected individuals. “The Trump administration is doling out billions of dollars in taxpayer funds on contracts that have led to the deaths of four people in a six-month period. And things are not likely to improve,” stated Public Citizen researcher Douglas Pasternak, who authored the report.
OSHA's investigation led to fines for three subcontractors who failed to ensure workplace safety, contributing to Gonzalez’s fatal accident. Base International, owned by Nathan Albers—an active Republican donor—was cited for exposing its workers to “struck-by hazards.” The other two companies also failed to uphold safety standards regarding the operation of industrial trucks at the site. While JMJ Production Services and Fulfillment Personnel Services agreed to reduced fines, Base International is contesting its citation, asserting that there was no wrongdoing.
The timeline of events, the political connections, and the implications of unsafe labor conditions surrounding these contracts spotlight the potential risks workers face in projects associated with federal detention policies. As scrutiny intensifies, this incident raises significant concerns about regulatory enforcement at facilities integral to the nation’s immigration framework.
After the investigation into the tragic death of Hector Gonzalez, 38, who was crushed by materials at the construction site of Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) deemed the violations serious. Gonzalez's death occurred on July 21, 2025, as contractors hurried to complete the project, which opened the following month and became a key detention center for immigrants awaiting deportation proceedings.
Reports indicate that the contractors in question were operating under a $1.3 billion contract awarded to Acquisition Logistics by the Army. The camp was described as troubled and has faced numerous allegations concerning inhumane conditions, unhealthy environments, and subsequent deaths of detainees earlier this year.
Public Citizen, a watchdog group, released findings highlighting the alarming trend of contractor negligence associated with significant government contracts, especially those benefiting politically connected individuals. “The Trump administration is doling out billions of dollars in taxpayer funds on contracts that have led to the deaths of four people in a six-month period. And things are not likely to improve,” stated Public Citizen researcher Douglas Pasternak, who authored the report.
OSHA's investigation led to fines for three subcontractors who failed to ensure workplace safety, contributing to Gonzalez’s fatal accident. Base International, owned by Nathan Albers—an active Republican donor—was cited for exposing its workers to “struck-by hazards.” The other two companies also failed to uphold safety standards regarding the operation of industrial trucks at the site. While JMJ Production Services and Fulfillment Personnel Services agreed to reduced fines, Base International is contesting its citation, asserting that there was no wrongdoing.
The timeline of events, the political connections, and the implications of unsafe labor conditions surrounding these contracts spotlight the potential risks workers face in projects associated with federal detention policies. As scrutiny intensifies, this incident raises significant concerns about regulatory enforcement at facilities integral to the nation’s immigration framework.
