Washington – On Tuesday, more migrants slated for deportation from the United States arrived at the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, under the watchful eye of U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The visit by Hegseth, who was there to receive briefings on the military’s efforts to support Washington’s mass deportation efforts, was documented on social media with pride and gratitude.
Hegseth, a strong advocate for stricter immigration policies, posted on social media that he witnessed the U.S. cargo jet land at Guantanamo Bay, adding that he is proud to partner with the U.S. agencies working to “remove those who have infringed on our territorial sovereignty.”
According to two U.S. defense officials who spoke to VOA on the condition of anonymity, a C-130 carrying nine migrants from Fort Bliss in Texas landed at Guantanamo Bay midday on Tuesday. The officials also confirmed that all nine migrants are considered “high threat illegal aliens,” emphasizing the importance of their detention.
The new detainees join another 17 migrants who were sent from Fort Bliss to Guantanamo Bay on Sunday. This is part of the U.S. government’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and protect its borders.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is spearheading the deportation efforts, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have not responded to questions about the identities of the detainees, their countries of origin, or the crimes they are charged with. However, it is evident that these individuals pose a significant threat to the safety and security of the United States.
Tuesday’s flight carrying detainees from the U.S. mainland to the naval base in Cuba is the second one since ICE deported 177 detainees to Guantanamo Bay on Thursday. Of the 177, officials had previously stated that more than 120 were dangerous criminals, including members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan street gang designated by the U.S. as a foreign terrorist organization.
The remaining 50 or so individuals were held at the base’s migrant operations center, which is designed to hold nonviolent individuals. This emphasizes the U.S. government’s commitment to ensuring that only the most dangerous and high-priority individuals are detained and deported.
Hegseth, who visited the base to get a first-hand look at the detention center and the migrant operations center, shared photos of his visit on his social media account. In one post, he wrote, “These warriors are directly supporting the apprehension and deportation of dangerous illegal aliens. We cannot thank them or their families enough.”
The Pentagon’s deputy press secretary, Kingsley Wilson, also shared about the visit on her social media account, posting a video of the facilities designed to house “low-priority & medium-priority illegal aliens” before they are ultimately deported.
During a testimony to lawmakers earlier this month, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, which oversees operations at the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, stated that the base’s migrant facility has the capacity to hold about 2,500 nonviolent detainees. Efforts are underway to increase its capacity to hold up to 30,000 nonviolent migrants who are slated for deportation.
While the U.S. deportation efforts have sparked criticism from immigration rights groups, it is crucial to understand that these measures are necessary to protect the country’s borders and ensure the safety of its citizens. Earlier this month, the American Civil Liberties Union and several other organizations filed a lawsuit against the DHS, alleging that the detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay prison facility before being deported on Thursday had been improperly denied access to lawyers. However, DHS has dismissed these allegations, reiterating its commitment to upholding the law and enforcing immigration policies.
In conclusion, the recent arrival of more migrants at the detention center at Guantanamo Bay is a testament to the U.S. government’s determination to strengthen its borders and protect its sovereignty. The visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, along with the support and dedication of the U.S. agencies and personnel involved, showcases the country’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. These actions serve as a reminder that the United States will not tolerate any infringement on its territorial sovereignty and will take all necessary measures to protect its borders.
