Trump Orders Defense Department to establish Migrant Detention Facility at Guantanamo Bay

U.S. President Donald Trump has directed the Defense Department to establish detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay capable of housing 30,000 deported migrants.

Trump announced the decision on Thursday during a ceremony where he signed the Laken Riley Act, a new immigration detention measure. He described the planned facility as a holding center for “the worst criminal illegal aliens threatening the American people.”

“Some of them are so bad we don’t even trust the countries to hold them, because we don’t want them coming back,” Trump said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth affirmed that the military is prepared to set up the facility “very rapidly,” calling Guantanamo Bay “a perfect spot” for the initiative.

Trump’s latest executive action aligns with his broader push to tighten immigration enforcement and enhance border security. Since returning to office, he has issued multiple executive orders targeting border control and deportations. The administration has sought to highlight these efforts, including publicizing images of U.S. military aircraft transporting deported migrants to Central America.

While similar deportations occurred under President Joe Biden, the use of military planes was not previously employed for such operations.

Guantanamo Bay, a U.S. naval base in southeastern Cuba, has been a site of international scrutiny since its use as a detention center began in 2002 under President George W. Bush. Initially established for individuals apprehended during the post-9/11 “war on terror,” the facility has drawn criticism over allegations of human rights violations, including torture.

Legal concerns surrounding indefinite detention at Guantanamo have been widely debated, with human rights organizations and the United Nations repeatedly calling for its closure. Despite past efforts to reduce its detainee population, the site remains operational.

Trump’s directive marks a new chapter in the facility’s use, shifting its focus toward immigration enforcement. The move is expected to face legal and political challenges from advocacy groups and international organizations.

The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey estimates that 46.2 million immigrants were living in the United States as of July 2022, up from 45.3 million in July 2021—an increase of 912,000.

The data shows notable increases in immigration from several countries, including approximately 130,000 more individuals from India, a 5% rise in one year; about 122,000 from Venezuela, a 22% increase; and around 86,000 from China, reflecting a 4% growth. The survey accounts for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and both documented and undocumented immigrants.