Trump Unveils Bold Plan for Migrant Detention Center at Guantanamo Bay with Laken Riley Bill Signature

President Donald Trump on Wednesday enacted his first legislation of a second term, focusing on immigration policy. The new law mandates that immigration officials detain individuals arrested or charged with property crimes. Additionally, it grants state attorneys general the authority to challenge federal immigration laws.

“Today’s signings bring us one step closer to eradicating the scourge of migrant crime in our communities once and for all,” Trump stated during the signing ceremony.

Critics, including immigration advocates and attorneys, warn that this legislation could pave the way for mass deportations, as it necessitates the detention of immigrants charged with property offenses. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) currently has funding for approximately 41,000 detention beds.

In a separate directive, Trump announced plans for a migrant detention center at Guantanamo Bay, intended to accommodate up to 30,000 individuals. “We have 30,000 beds in Guantanamo to detain the worst criminal illegal aliens threatening the American people,” he asserted, emphasizing concerns about returning dangerous offenders to their home countries.

The facility has historically served various purposes, detaining Cubans fleeing political turmoil in the mid-1990s and holding suspected terrorists post-9/11 under former President George W. Bush.

Amidst swirling controversies, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not provided comments regarding the establishment of this new detention center. Past usage of Guantanamo primarily involved detaining asylum seekers rather than relocating individuals already residing in the U.S.

Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, reiterated that ICE would manage operations at Guantanamo Bay. “We’re just going to expand upon the existing migrant center,” he explained.

The newly signed bill is named in honor of Laken Riley, a Georgia nursing student murdered by an undocumented immigrant previously charged with shoplifting. Trump highlighted this personal connection, stating, “Her name will also live forever in the laws of our country.” He added that Riley’s memory should serve as a catalyst for change.

Riley’s mother, Allyson Phillips, thanked Trump during the signing, expressing hope that her daughter’s tragedy would lead to positive reform. “Our hope moving forward is that her life saves lives,” she said.

Trump criticized the immigration policies of the previous administration, asserting they contributed to Riley’s death. He called for Congress to allocate funds for deportations, claiming the current immigration system is ineffective. “We need Congress to provide full funding for the complete and total restoration of our sovereign borders,” he urged.

The financial implications of the Laken Riley Act are significant. ICE has estimated that the enforcement of the bill could cost approximately $26.9 billion in its inaugural year, while the agency’s budget for fiscal 2024 stands at about $9 billion.

This legislation garnered bipartisan support, yet it has raised alarms among immigration advocates about potential violations of due process rights. Particularly concerning is the lack of exemptions for immigrant children, who could face detention without the possibility of release on bond.

Moreover, critics argue that the bill may inadvertently affect lawful immigrants by entangling individuals with discretionary legal statuses, such as humanitarian parole and Dreamers. The Trump administration previously granted immigration officials the power to revoke humanitarian parole for certain recent arrivals, thus exacerbating concerns about the treatment of vulnerable populations.

Recent actions by DHS, including the revocation of temporary protections for around 600,000 Venezuelans, signal a tightening of immigration protocols. Trump praised DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for her assertive stance and mentioned her recent involvement in ICE operations in New York City.