The U.S. government has unveiled plans to set up a migrant detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba—a location long associated with military detention of terrorism suspects for over twenty years.
President Donald Trump announced he would sign an executive order directing the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security to get ready to accommodate as many as 30,000 migrants at this facility.
Facilities and Security Measures
During his announcement, Trump pointed out that Guantanamo Bay is capable of housing numerous individuals classified as high-risk illegal immigrants.
He expressed worries about returning certain individuals to their home countries due to the potential threats they pose, leading the administration to consider relocating these migrants to the military base.
In a segment on Fox News, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested utilizing the base’s golf course to erect housing for around 6,000 migrants slated for deportation.
He emphasized that new arrivals would be kept separate from the few military detainees still held there.
Historical Context of Guantanamo Bay
Located in southeastern Cuba, Guantanamo Bay operates under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Navy and has a contentious history.
The Cuban government does not officially recognize the station but has allowed its existence.
Following the 9/11 attacks, the facility drew significant international criticism for its role in detaining suspects associated with terrorism and navigating military justice.
This isn’t the first time Guantanamo has been repurposed for migrant detention.
In the 1990s, President George H.W. Bush ordered the containment of tens of thousands of Haitians fleeing to the U.S. after a military coup in 1991.
Additionally, in 1994, around 30,000 Cubans attempting to reach the U.S. by makeshift rafts were also detained at the site.
Immigration Enforcement and Legislative Changes
The forthcoming executive order will specifically instruct military and homeland security officials to bolster detention capabilities for undocumented individuals who pose a substantial criminal risk, thereby addressing the broader issues in immigration enforcement.
While details regarding the military personnel involved in this initiative are still unclear, the Army has recently dispatched 111 military police soldiers from the New York National Guard to Guantanamo Bay as part of routine rotations, maintaining the security of the detention site.
Other military police units have been sent to the southern border in response to the national emergency declared by Trump concerning immigration issues.
This announcement came alongside Trump signing the Laken Riley Act, new legislation aimed at widening the categories of immigrants eligible for arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including those without legal status facing theft-related criminal charges.
Historically, the U.S. military has frequently utilized aircraft to send thousands of migrants from U.S. soil to various South American countries.
For the proposed housing of migrants at the Cuban military base, both the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy may assist in transporting individuals to military installations.
Over several administrations, there have been efforts to close the military detention center, where currently only a handful of detainees remain.
In 2018, Trump’s administration reversed the prior commitment to shutter the facility, ensuring its continued operation.
Once home to a population of 680 in 2003, the current count has dropped to about 15 detainees, including individuals linked to the September 11 attacks and others who have not yet been formally charged.
Source: Taskandpurpose.com