The first US flights carrying detained migrants to Guantanamo Bay were underway on Tuesday as President Donald Trump’s administration intensified its crackdown on illegal migration, the White House confirmed.
Guantanamo Bay is infamous as a detention centre for terrorism suspects, but it has also historically been used to hold migrants. Last week, Trump ordered the creation of a 30,000-person “migrant facility” at the base.
“Today, the first flights from the United States to Guantanamo Bay with illegal migrants are underway,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Fox Business.
Trump’s second administration has launched a major campaign against illegal migration, emphasising immigration raids, arrests, and deportations using military aircraft.
The Guantanamo prison, established after the 9/11 attacks, has long drawn criticism from human rights groups and UN experts, who have condemned it as a site of “unparalleled notoriety.”
Despite efforts by Democratic presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden to shut it down, Congress has blocked closure attempts, and the facility remains operational.
Guantanamo still holds 15 detainees accused of terrorism, but migrants will be housed separately. According to US Southern Command, around 300 American military personnel are currently stationed there to support “illegal alien holding operations.”