Trump Administration Kicks Off Controversial Plan to Transfer Immigrants to Guantanamo Bay

The Trump administration has initiated unprecedented measures concerning immigration policy by transporting detained migrants via military aircraft to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This step underscores President Donald Trump’s firm stance on immigration enforcement.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem shared images on social media depicting detained men in handcuffs, escorted by immigration officials in tactical gear. “Guantanamo Bay will hold the worst of the worst,” she remarked, indicating the seriousness of the initiative.

Recently, Trump announced plans for the Defense Department to utilize the Guantanamo migrant detention center, potentially accommodating up to 30,000 unauthorized migrants. This change could nearly double the bed capacity currently funded for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which stands at approximately 41,500.

Reports from the U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs Office confirmed the arrival of over 150 U.S. Marines and Army members at the naval base. With more than 300 military personnel already stationed there, the base is prepared for its new role.

Historically, Guantanamo Bay gained notoriety for holding terrorism suspects following the September 11 attacks, and advocates have long pushed for its closure due to concerns over human rights violations.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the flights during an interview on Fox Business, stating, “The first flights from the United States to Guantanamo Bay with illegal migrants are underway.” She emphasized that the president is “not messing around.”

When asked during a Sunday NBC interview about the detention of women and children at Guantanamo, Noem did not provide a direct answer. Instead, she reiterated the administration’s focus on targeting serious criminals who are perceived to jeopardize public safety.

Although Guantanamo Bay has housed migrants in the past, such instances were primarily during the 1990s when Cuban and Haitian refugees were intercepted. This new approach, however, marks a significant shift, transporting individuals from inside the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security has not disclosed details regarding the departure locations of these flights or the number of migrants aboard the C-17 military jet, nor their criminal backgrounds.