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A federal judge in the United States blocked an attempt by the Donald Trump Administration to dismiss a lawsuit challenging its plan to transfer migrants to the U.S. base at Guantánamo, in eastern Cuba.
In a ruling issued on Friday, District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan denied the Government's motion and scheduled a hearing for next week for the parties to discuss the next steps in the legal process, reported the AP.
Trump announced in January that his Administration would use the facilities at Guantanamo to house tens of thousands of the “worst foreign criminals”, as part of his controversial offensive against irregular immigration.
Between February and June, the federal government detained around 500 immigrants at the naval base, which was used as a transit point for individuals with final deportation orders, according to the court ruling.
However, days later, he was required to return the detainees to U.S. soil.
Lee Gelernt, attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), welcomed the decision and stated that he hopes the ruling "brings an end to the illegal policy of sending immigrants to military bases in the middle of nowhere just for political spectacle."
ACLU and other human rights groups argue that relocating immigrants to Guantanamo is an illegal practice that goes against U.S. immigration laws.
For its part, the Trump administration has defended its authority to detain individuals with final deportation orders in military facilities.
Guantánamo, also known as "Gitmo", is famous for having housed terrorism suspects transferred there after the September 11, 2001 attacks.
The base, located in Cuban territory occupied by the United States, has faced international criticism for alleged human rights violations.
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