ANTHONY, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar said she can't see why the La Tuna federal prison in Anthony, Texas, needs to be closed.
On Thursday, during a visit to the federal correctional facility, Escobar said that while it is evident that the prison needs work, she believes there's no need to shut it down and move inmates and employees.
Escobar pointed out the issues with the facility: HVAC repairs, work on the roof and plumbing-- all of which she said require approximately $80 million to fix.
However, she said that if $1.24 billion of tax money can go to Camp East Montana at Fort Bliss-- a detention center that Escobar said is a "tent city" that doesn't meet federal standards-- she can't see why budget can't be set aside to address these fixes and retain the jobs.
Below you can watch or read Escobar's full remarks.
El Paso Congresswoman Veronica Escobar visited La Tuna Federal Prison in Anthony, Texas, questioning the facility's closure. Aug. 13, 2026. Credit: Escobar
My team and I just completed our oversight visit at La Tuna, which has been slated to be shut down next year, leaving hundreds of federal employees without their jobs and even more detainees whose families and lawyers are here in this community to be shuttled elsewhere across the country.
I can share that there are infrastructure improvements that are necessary at La Tuna. We have infrastructure needs at nearly every federal facility - all over the country. I did not see evidence of why this facility needs to be shut down. We were told it would require $80 million of investment to fix HVAC, the roof and the plumbing. Meanwhile, for context, taxpayers are sending $1.24 billion to Camp East Montana, a tent city that still hasn’t met federal standards.
Budgets are about our values. My focus is retaining these jobs and making sure we address the needs here at La Tuna. I look forward to meeting with employees of La Tuna later tonight."
RELATED: La Tuna federal prison closure leaves questions about inmate transfers, employee futures
The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) announced in July that La Tuna is one of six federal prison facilities slated to close as part of a nationwide restructuring effort.
According to the agency, the closures are intended to address decades of deferred maintenance, aging infrastructure, and chronic staffing shortages across the federal prison system.
The agency said inmates will be transferred to other federal correctional facilities but has not identified which institutions will receive them or when those transfers will begin.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the union representing Bureau of Prisons employees, estimates approximately 160 to 170 employees work at La Tuna.
Julian Patrick, president of AFGE Local 2516, said the union estimates that 90% to 95% of employees could be displaced by the closure, describing correctional work as "a specialty position" that cannot easily be replaced by other federal jobs in the region.
RELATED: BOP to close six federal prisons, including La Tuna federal prison in Anthony
After the closure was announced, the Town of Anthony released the following statement decrying that the decision will affect its community.
La Tuna Federal Correctional Institution has been a staple of our community for generations. Since its establishment in the early twentieth century, the facility has been closely intertwined with the history and identity of our area. In fact, before our community became known as Anthony, much of the area was commonly associated with La Tuna, reflecting the institution's longstanding presence and significance.
The announcement of the permanent closure of the facility will undoubtedly have an impact on our community. For many years, the institution and its employees have been valued partners and neighbors who contributed to the local economy and assisted the town in various capacities. Their presence has been an important part of our shared history.
While we recognize the challenges that accompany this closure, we are also looking toward the future. We hope to engage with the federal government regarding opportunities to preserve this historic property and its legacy. Our goal would be to explore ways the site could continue serving the public, whether as a museum, historical attraction, educational resource, or as part of future municipal functions.
The history of La Tuna is deeply connected to the history of Anthony, and we believe it is important that this legacy not be forgotten. We are committed to working with our federal partners and community stakeholders to identify opportunities that honor the past while creating value for future generations.
We will continue to monitor developments and advocate for outcomes that best serve the residents of Anthony and preserve this important part of our community's heritage
“La Tuna is more than a correctional facility—it is part of the history and identity of our community. While this closure marks the end of an era, we see an opportunity to preserve that history and ensure the property continues to serve the public and future generations.” — Mayor Martin Lerma.
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