Federal Safety Violations Linked to Worker Death at Immigration Detention Center

Tue Apr 14 2026 11:43:06 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Regulators cite three contractors, including a Trump donor, for safety violations following the death of a worker at a Texas detention facility.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited three contractors for safety violations relating to the death of Hector Gonzalez, a construction worker who died amid the ongoing construction of a major immigration detention center in El Paso, Texas. The companies, including Base International owned by Trump supporter Nathan Albers, were found to have breached safety standards leading to hazardous working conditions. Reports raise concerns about the management and conditions within the newly opened facility, adding to the scrutiny around the use of government contracts for detention centers.

Federal regulators have taken action against three contractors, including one linked to a campaign donor of former President Donald Trump, for serious safety violations that led to the tragic death of a worker during the construction of a significant immigration detention center in El Paso, Texas.

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) conducted an investigation following the death of Hector Gonzalez, 38, who was killed in a construction accident involving falling materials as contractors hurried to complete Camp East Montana.

The findings were released in a report from the watchdog group Public Citizen, which examined the treatment of labor and conditions at the facility being developed for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Gonzalez's death occurred shortly after the Army awarded a contract worth up to $1.3 billion to Acquisition Logistics for developing the facility at Fort Bliss. After opening the following month, the site became the largest ICE detention center, reportedly housing over 3,000 detainees.

The detention center has faced multiple allegations of inhumane conditions and has been cited for disease outbreaks and at least three deaths among detainees in recent months. An inspection by ICE's Office of Detention Oversight highlighted numerous violations of national standards, prompting a change in the prime contractor from Acquisition Logistics to Amentum Services.

“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.

In response to Gonzalez's death, OSHA sought to ensure compliance with safety regulations, citing three subcontractors for their disregard for safety rules related to the use of powered industrial trucks. Of these, Base International, owned by Nathan Albers—a donor to Trump and other Republican organizations—was cited for exposing employees to dangerous conditions while unloading supplies.

Albers and his affiliates face scrutiny given their close ties to the former president, with Public Citizen noting that he donated over $150,000 to Republican campaigns in the last election cycle and has been involved in fundraising for activities associated with Trump.

While two of the cited companies accepted reduced fines for their violations, Base International has contested its citation, arguing that it acted responsibly. The outcome of this appeal will determine whether additional penalties will be enforced.