Former US President Donald Trump has announced plans to detain 30,000 undocumented migrants at Guantanamo Bay, a military prison historically used for terrorism suspects. This move, part of his renewed crackdown on illegal immigration, has drawn significant attention.
Guantanamo Bay: A Controversial Prison
History and Purpose
- Opened in January 2002 under George W. Bush after the 9/11 attacks.
- Located on a US naval base in southeastern Cuba, leased under a 1903 treaty.
- Used to detain enemy combatants, denying them traditional US legal rights.
Attempts to Shut It Down
- Barack Obama and Joe Biden attempted to close the facility, but Congress blocked efforts.
- Plans to relocate detainees to mainland US prisons failed due to local opposition.
Trump’s Plan: Migrants at Guantanamo
Trump signed an executive order instructing the Pentagon and Homeland Security to begin preparing the facility.
- “We have 30,000 beds for the worst criminal illegal aliens,” Trump said.
- Claimed some migrants are too dangerous to be deported back to their home countries.
- Called Guantanamo a “tough place to get out of.”
Has Guantanamo Housed Migrants Before?
Yes. Migrants have been held in a separate area for decades.
- Between 2020 and 2023, 37 migrants were detained.
- Under Trump’s intensified crackdown, this number may rise sharply.
Current Prisoner Status
Since 2002, Guantanamo has held 800 detainees; today, only 15 remain:
- 3 eligible for transfer
- 3 under review
- 7 face charges
- 2 convicted
Biden’s administration recently released 11 Yemeni prisoners.
Notorious Detainees
Among the most well-known prisoners:
- Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, mastermind of 9/11.
- Abd al-Rahim al-Nashiri, responsible for the USS Cole bombing.
- More than 55% of detainees were later found not involved in hostile acts.
Human Rights Controversies
Guantanamo has faced international criticism for alleged human rights violations:
- Force-feeding of hunger strikers, deemed torture by critics.
- Harsh interrogation tactics and indefinite detention without trial.
- At least nine detainees have died, seven from apparent suicides.
What’s Next?
With Trump’s latest move, Guantanamo Bay is set to remain a focal point of US immigration policy and human rights debates.