8 months ago
US Troops Face Substandard Conditions on Mexico Border
Some soldiers in the US Army who are helping with border security in Texas and New Mexico are living in very bad conditions.
The places where they stay have problems like leaking sewage, broken toilets, and not enough space.
The soldiers also mentioned that the air conditioning doesn't work and there are electrical issues.
The people in charge have been told about these problems and they need to fix them quickly.
The soldiers are part of a big group of about 2,400 people who were sent to help with border control.
US Army troops deployed to the southern border are living in substandard conditions with leaking raw sewage and non-functional toilets.
The issues were reported by the Pentagon's Inspector General in a document published on Wednesday.
Troops affected are part of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, deployed to Fort Bliss, Texas, and the Dona Ana Range Complex, New Mexico.
Some soldiers are housed in barracks with as little as 45 square feet of living space, less than the required 72 square feet.
The Inspector General's office has notified US Northern Command and Joint Task Force Southern Border about the health and safety concerns.
- Who
- US Army troops, specifically the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team
- What
- Substandard living conditions including leaking raw sewage, non-functional toilets, and inadequate living space
- Where
- Fort Bliss, Texas, and the Dona Ana Range Complex, New Mexico
- When
- Conditions observed during a report published on Wednesday
- Why
- Troops were deployed to assist Customs and Border personnel along the southern border
Key facts
- Troops Affected
- 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team (Colorado unit)
- Deployment Locations
- Fort Bliss, Texas and Dona Ana Range Complex, New Mexico
- Number of Soldiers
- 2,400
- Issues Reported
- Leaking raw sewage, non-functional toilets, unsanitary conditions, inadequate living space
- Required Living Space
- 72 square feet per soldier
- Reported Living Space
- As little as 45 square feet per soldier
- Reporting Body
- Pentagon's Inspector General
- Response Time for Comments
- 30 days
Quotes
Report authors
Authors of the Pentagon's Inspector General report
“'Additionally, during our site visits we observed unsanitary conditions in bathroom facilities at Fort Bliss and the Dona Ana Range Complex housing facilities.'”
NDTV
“'Multiple soldiers living in the barracks informed us of electrical capacity concerns and continually nonfunctioning air conditioning.'”
NDTV
Bryan Clark
Assistant Inspector General for Evaluations
“The problems include 'leaking raw sewage, non-functional toilets, and general disrepair of facilities.'”
NDTV
Inspector General
Office of the Inspector General
“'Provide comments within 30 days describing the specific actions it will take to develop and implement a plan with milestones that ensures soldiers assigned to the Southern Border Task Force have adequate housing conditions.'”
NDTV
