The first flight carrying migrants who entered the United States illegally is en route to Guantanamo Bay, according to the White House, following reports from American media. A military aircraft is reportedly transporting about ten individuals to the U.S. naval base in eastern Cuba.
President Trump announced last week his intention to use the base for detaining certain immigrants who have illegally entered the country. “We have 30,000 beds in Guantanamo to detain the most dangerous criminal aliens who threaten the American people,” he stated.
Defense Secretary Hegseth described Guantanamo as a “perfect place” to accommodate migrants. Additional U.S. military personnel have arrived at the base in recent days to prepare the detention center, distinct from the notorious prison.
American media reports suggest there is capacity for about 120 migrants. The base, claimed by the U.S. for over a century, gained notoriety when President George W. Bush decided in 2002 to detain suspects of the September 2001 terrorist attacks there.
The prison became controversial due to reports of torture and indefinite detention without trial. Former Presidents Obama and Biden intended to close the prison and relocated more detainees, though it was never shut down.
Currently, fifteen prisoners remain detained. The detention center has previously been used to hold migrants, which also sparked controversy.
Migrants reportedly lacked confidential communication with lawyers and were unable to disclose the harsh conditions they experienced. Human rights organizations have criticized Trump’s plan.
Amnesty International’s U.S. branch called the decision cruel, citing concerns that migrants would be isolated from legal counsel and family. Amnesty fears human rights abuses might occur out of public view and questions the legal validity.
Human Rights Watch shares these concerns, warning that indefinite detention without proper oversight can lead to human rights violations and could amount to torture. Homeland Security Secretary Noem stated there are no plans for indefinite detention and assured that the U.S. government would comply with the law.
Source: NOS