parks
‘How can I forget?’ Deported Peruvian journalist pens book on ICE detention at Alligator Alcatraz, Camp East Montana
By Cindy Ramirez at El Paso Matters
· June 29, 2026
· 9 min read
As a journalist, it’s been instinct for Ricardo Quintana Chávez to record his surroundings – writing in his reporter’s notebook or recording on his cellphone whenever something caught his eye.
During his time in Alligator Alcatraz then at Camp East Montana – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforc...
Key takeaway “Your mind is trained to see everything from a journalistic point of view,” Quintana told El Paso Matters in Spanish during a recent phone interview from his home in Callao, Peru, near Lima.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The story of Ricardo Quintana Chávez, a Peruvian journalist deported after being detained in ICE facilities, including Alligator Alcatraz and Camp East Montana, raises questions about the treatment of asylum seekers in the El Paso area. As a community that has seen its share of immigration debates, El Pasoans should be concerned about the allegations of human rights abuses in these facilities. Quintana's experience, documented in his book, highlights the complexities of the immigration system and the consequences of being caught in its web. His case also underscores the need for clarity on the rights of individuals with pending asylum cases, like Quintana, who was allowed to remain and work in the country while awaiting his immigration hearing. The fact that he was deported despite this raises concerns about the consistency of immigration enforcement in the region, and El Pasoans should be watching for further developments on this issue.
About this story
Original reporting by El Paso Matters . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit El Paso Matters . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: El Paso Matters ·
Reading time: 9 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? As a journalist, it’s been instinct for Ricardo Quintana Chávez to record his surroundings – writing in his reporter’s notebook or recording on his cellphone whenever something caught his eye.
During his time in Alligator Alcatraz then at Camp East Montana – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforc...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by El Paso Matters and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Cindy Ramirez at El Paso Matters. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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