On January 30, 2025, President Donald Trump announced plans to detain migrants at the Guantánamo Bay military detention facility in Cuba as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration. The facility, primarily known for holding terrorism suspects, will reportedly be prepared to accommodate up to 30,000 migrants deemed “the worst criminal illegal aliens threatening the American people.”
- Trump plans to detain migrants at Guantánamo.
- Guantánamo opened in 2002 for "enemy combatants."
- Only 15 prisoners remain at Guantánamo today.
- Rights groups condemn conditions at Guantánamo.
- Force-feeding practices likened to torture.
- Historical use of facility for migrant detention.
The Guantánamo Bay military prison was established in January 2002 after the September 11 attacks under President George W. Bush’s administration. It was created to detain individuals labeled as “enemy combatants,” who have limited legal rights compared to standard prisoners. Despite efforts by Presidents Obama and Biden to close the facility, it remains operational due to congressional opposition.
Historically, Guantánamo has also been used for detaining migrants intercepted at sea; however, this occurred in separate areas from those housing terrorism suspects. Reports indicate that only 37 migrants were held there between 2020 and 2023, but this number could significantly rise following Trump’s recent announcement.
Currently, only 15 inmates remain at Guantánamo from the approximately 800 who have been detained since its opening. Of these detainees, three are eligible for transfer while others face various legal statuses including charges or convictions. Concerns about human rights violations continue as critics highlight issues such as force-feeding practices and overall conditions within the facility.
This latest development raises significant questions about U.S. immigration policy and human rights standards at one of the world’s most controversial detention centers.
The announcement by President Trump marks a notable shift in how the U.S. intends to handle migration issues by utilizing an infamous detention center historically associated with terrorism-related cases rather than traditional migrant processing facilities.
