Federal regulators have cited three contractors, including one owned by a campaign donor to President Donald Trump, for safety violations stemming from the death of a worker helping build a major immigration detention center last year.
Violations deemed serious by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) were uncovered during their investigation into the July 21, 2025, death of Hector Gonzalez, 38, who was crushed by falling materials in a construction accident while contractors hurried to complete Camp East Montana in El Paso, Texas.
The violations were highlighted in a report released Monday by the watchdog group Public Citizen, which scrutinized the companies profiting from work at the costly but troubled U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center.
Gonzalez's death followed shortly after the Army awarded a contract worth up to $1.3 billion to Acquisition Logistics for the camp's construction and operations at Fort Bliss, near the U.S.-Mexico border. The site opened the following month, quickly becoming ICE’s largest detention center for immigrants, often housing over 3,000 individuals.
However, the camp has faced serious criticisms, including allegations of inhumane conditions, disease outbreaks, and the deaths of three detainees in subsequent months. An inspection by ICE’s Office of Detention Oversight in February indicated numerous violations of national standards. Recently, ICE terminated Acquisition Logistics as the prime contractor due to these concerns and awarded a no-bid contract 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, commented Public Citizen researcher Douglas Pasternak, author of the recent report.
OSHA’s investigation into Gonzalez’s death, which is routine for workplace fatalities, aimed to determine adherence to safety regulations. Although no citation was given to Acquisition Logistics, OSHA sought penalties against three subcontractors involved in the construction: Base International, JMJ Production Services, and Fulfillment Personnel Services.
Base International, owned by Florida businessman Nathan Albers—a known donor to Trump and other Republican politicians—employed Gonzalez. OSHA identified safety breaches involving exposed employees to “struck-by hazards” related to unstable loads on forklifts while unloading materials.
The investigation found similar violations attributed to the other two companies for not ensuring their employees were certified to operate powered industrial trucks on site.
While JMJ and Fulfillment agreed to reduced fines of $15,000 each as part of their settlements with OSHA, Base International has contested the citation and an $11,585 penalty proposed by OSHA. In the absence of a settlement, administrative law judges will conduct a hearing for their appeal.
Albers maintains Base International acted appropriately and is appealing the ruling.
The Public Citizen report also emphasizes Albers' connection to Trump, citing his substantial political donations and support for Republican campaigns. However, representatives from JMJ Production Services have declined to provide comments and Fulfillment Personnel Services has not responded to inquiries.
