The U.S. will begin deportations to Guantanamo in 30 days

The United States announced that in 30 days it will begin deportations of immigrants to the Naval Base at Guantanamo in Cuba.

Tom Homan, whom Donald Trump appointed to lead immigration policies and border security, informed The Washington Post that he plans to travel to the U.S. naval base in the coming weeks to oversee the expedited construction of a detention camp.

Although Trump stated that the venue would accommodate around 30,000 people, he clarified that they would likely start with a small number of deportees.

"We hope to start moving people there within 30 days," he noted.

The so-called border czar has indicated that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be in charge of the expanded facility in Guantánamo, although the details are still unclear.

The decision to detain up to 30,000 migrants in Guantánamo aims to relieve pressure on detention centers in U.S. territory and will focus on irregular migrants accused of crimes.

The government of the United States has already begun to implement its plan to relocate detainees. The Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, reported that his agency is coordinating efforts to establish an area within the base for this purpose.

In the midst of the preparations, a contingent of marines arrived at the base over the weekend.

"The U.S. Marines arrived at Guantanamo Bay to support the Department of Defense and Homeland Security in the expansion of the Migrant Operations Center, thereby advancing President Trump's mission to protect Americans and secure our nation," stated the White House in a statement.

For her part, Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, stated in an interview that "due process will be followed, and having facilities at Guantanamo Bay will be an advantage for us."

The executive order signed by Trump directs the preparation of up to 30,000 beds at the facility for detainees. The naval base already has a site for migrants that has been used several times to temporarily house Haitians and Cubans intercepted at sea, and that is separate from the maximum-security prison where terrorism suspects are held.

According to Político, up to now the military has conducted eight deportation flights: four to Guatemala, three to Honduras, and one to Ecuador. This would be the first time that migrants are sent to Guantánamo, presenting unique legal and logistical challenges.

"El Presidente ha dicho que allí se encontrarán los peores de los peores, que vamos a perseguir a esos malos actores...", precisó Noem en la entrevista.

The Guantanamo military prison was inaugurated in January 2002 at the U.S. naval base located in Cuba. The detention center was established following the September 11, 2001 attacks, during the presidency of George W. Bush, to receive prisoners referred to as "enemy combatants."

Frequently Asked Questions about Immigrant Deportations to Guantánamo