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The United States government does not rule out sending illegal immigrants who have not committed violent crimes to the Guantanamo Naval Base.
Thus affirmed the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, in an interview with CNN.
"We will have facilities that will meet the same standards as other detention facilities in the United States, and I don't believe the president will tie his hands when it comes to doing what is necessary to ensure the security of the United States," he noted.
Noem recently visited the Naval Base, where several flights with detained illegal immigrants have already arrived.
"I just visited Cuba and witnessed firsthand how foreign criminals were disembarking from a flight in Guantánamo," he expressed on his X account.
"My message to foreign criminals, murderers, rapists, child predators, and gangsters: do not come to this country or we will pursue you, we will find you, and we will lock you up," he added.
The official did not specify how long the detainees could be held there before being deported to their countries, although she clarified that the goal is for them to remain temporarily, not for "weeks and months."
On Tuesday, February 4th, the first 10 undocumented immigrants arrived in Guantánamo, identified as members of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan criminal gang.
By Saturday the 8th, there were already "more than three dozen people" at the detention center, as revealed to the radio station Voice of America (VOA) by the U.S. Southern Command, which oversees operations at the facility. It did not comment on the number of flights that have arrived.
According to the Department of Defense, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detains migrants while officials determine whether they will be deported to Venezuela or sent to another destination.
The Trump administration has made it clear that it will not distinguish between illegal migrants who have committed serious crimes and those who have only entered the country irregularly, and that anyone can be deported.
"If you are a person, a foreigner who illegally enters the United States of America, you are, by definition, a criminal, and therefore, you are subject to deportation," said White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Immigrants to Guantánamo
Why is the United States sending immigrants to Guantánamo?
The United States government, under the administration of Donald Trump, has begun sending immigrants to the Guantanamo Naval Base as part of a strategy to relieve pressure on detention centers within U.S. territory. The measure aims to house irregular migrants accused of serious crimes, deemed a threat to national security.
What type of immigrants will be detained in Guantánamo?
The immigrants sent to Guantánamo include those considered high-risk and with serious criminal records. The Trump administration has emphasized that the "worst of the worst" will be detained, including gang members and criminals with offenses such as homicide and drug trafficking.
How long will the immigrants stay in Guantánamo?
The Secretary of National Security, Kristi Noem, has indicated that the aim is for immigrants to stay in Guantanamo only temporarily, and not for extended periods of weeks or months, while their deportation to their home countries is determined.
What criticisms have been made regarding the decision to send immigrants to Guantánamo?
The decision has been strongly criticized by human rights organizations and the Cuban government. It is noted that the use of Guantánamo as a detention center is a cruel measure that isolates immigrants from their families and support systems, in addition to potentially violating their human rights.
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