Washington — The United States has taken a bold step in its efforts to address the ongoing issue of illegal immigration by sending more migrants deemed to be “high threat” criminal aliens to the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This move comes just days after the base’s migrant facilities were emptied out.
According to a U.S. defense official who confirmed the news to VOA, a C-130 military cargo plane carrying 17 migrants arrived at Guantanamo Bay on Sunday after departing from Fort Bliss in Texas. A second defense official informed VOA that all 17 migrants were assessed to be “high threat” and are now being held at the base’s detention facility.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the two agencies leading the U.S. deportation efforts, have not yet disclosed the identities of the latest group of detainees, their countries of origin, or the crimes they are charged with.
This latest flight to Guantanamo Bay is seen as a significant move in the ongoing efforts to tackle illegal immigration in the United States. It also coincides with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s scheduled visit to the base on Tuesday, where he will review the military’s efforts in supporting the mass deportations ordered by President Donald Trump.
Hegseth’s visit will include briefings on all mission operations at the base, including the Migrant Operations Center and the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility. In a statement, the Pentagon emphasized the Department’s commitment to ensuring the security and operational effectiveness of Guantanamo Bay Naval Station.
Last week, ICE announced that 177 migrants being held at Guantanamo Bay were transported to Honduras, where they were to be picked up by the Venezuelan government. U.S. officials had previously stated that more than 120 of these detainees were dangerous criminals, including members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan street gang designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S.
The remaining 50 individuals who were deported on Thursday had been held at the base’s migrant facility, which is primarily designed to hold nonviolent individuals. However, with the ongoing efforts to deport more migrants, there are plans to increase the capacity of the facility to hold up to 30,000 nonviolent migrants.
Earlier this month, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, responsible for overseeing operations at Guantanamo Bay, informed lawmakers that the base’s migrant facility has the capacity to hold around 2,500 nonviolent detainees. This shows the government’s commitment to addressing the issue of illegal immigration in a humane and efficient manner.
However, not everyone is convinced about the methods being used. The American Civil Liberties Union and other immigration rights groups have filed a lawsuit against DHS, claiming that the detainees held at Guantanamo Bay were denied access to legal representation before being deported. DHS has dismissed these allegations.
Despite the criticism, the U.S. government remains steadfast in its approach to tackling illegal immigration. The decision to send “high threat” criminal aliens to Guantanamo Bay is a clear indication of the government’s determination to address this pressing issue. The government has also reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the American people while maintaining the integrity of its immigration system.
In conclusion, the move to send more migrants to Guantanamo Bay is a bold step in the right direction. It shows that the U.S. government is taking the necessary actions to address the issue of illegal immigration in a responsible and efficient manner. With continued efforts and cooperation, we can hope to see a significant reduction in the number of illegal immigrants entering the United States.
