Trump plan to house migrants at Gitmo facing major hurdles
The U.S. military is facing challenges in carrying out President Donald Trump’s directive to detain 30,000 migrants in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, according to U.S. defense officials speaking to Fox News. Despite Trump’s order to prepare a migrant detention facility at Guantánamo Bay, none of the tents set up at the U.S. Naval Station have been utilized to house migrants due to not meeting ICE standards.
Since the announcement, a total of 256 illegal migrants have passed through the base, with many labeled as the “worst of the worst” and a threat to the American population. Most of these individuals have been repatriated to their home countries. Currently, only 20 migrants are being held at the base, with 16 considered “high threat illegal aliens” detained at Camp 6 and four at a back-up facility due to the inadequacy of the tents.
The U.S. military was tasked with setting up the tents without clear guidance on the required standards for holding migrants. As a result, the operation to build more tents was paused in February. Despite this, the Department of Defense remains committed to ensuring that all individuals housed in these temporary facilities are treated in accordance with DHS/ICE standards.
While military aircraft have not been used to transport migrants since March 1, U.S. Transportation Command has C-17’s and C-130’s on standby to support the mission if requested. Additionally, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Maj. Gen. Phil Ryan provided insights into the operation at Guantánamo Bay during an exclusive interview with Fox News. They highlighted the logistical challenges and costs associated with using military aircraft for transporting migrants.
It is worth noting that the use of military aircraft has slowed down, possibly due to the high operational costs involved. Despite these challenges, the U.S. government remains committed to upholding immigration policies and ensuring the safety and security of the American people. As the situation continues to evolve, further updates on the migrant detention facility at Guantánamo Bay are expected.
