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U.S. immigration and military authorities defended their authority to transfer and detain immigrants at the naval base in Guantanamo, located in the easternmost part of Cuba.
Documents reveal that migrants from 27 countries are detained in that facility. According to reports, as of last Friday, 40 immigrants with final deportation orders were at the base, reported the news agency AP.
Of them, 23 were classified as "high risk" and are in individual cells, while the rest are housed in groups of up to six people.
Following a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) against the government of Donald Trump to prevent the transfer of 10 detained migrants in the U.S. to Guantanamo, officials responded.
The Department of Justice argued that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has the authority to keep migrants in Guantánamo as long as their expulsion remains feasible in the near future.
ICE officials and military leaders assured that migrants are treated with dignity and have access to legal assistance, regular meals, laundry services, and medical care.
However, they acknowledged that in-person visits from lawyers are not allowed and that some detainees have gone on hunger strikes or have been subjected to restrictive measures, such as shackles and body searches. Additionally, personal calls are limited to five minutes per day and are monitored by ICE.
According to ACLU, some detainees reported inhumane conditions, describing their situation as a "living hell."
Despite this, President Trump has expressed his intention to expand the facilities in Guantanamo to accommodate up to 30,000 immigrants.
Their administration began transfers to the base on February 4, including nearly 200 Venezuelans who were later deported to their country. Currently, there are no Venezuelans in detention at the base, according to a report from AP.
Lee Gelernt, attorney for the ACLU, stated that they do not have a complete list of the detained immigrants or their nationalities. The 10 men involved in the lawsuit include seven Venezuelans, as well as citizens from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The upcoming court hearing will determine the future of these transfers.
Frequently asked questions about the detention of immigrants in Guantánamo
Why does the United States detain immigrants at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base?
The United States uses Guantanamo Naval Base to ease pressure on detention centers in the country, especially for those undocumented immigrants accused of crimes. The Trump administration has defended this measure as a strategy to manage the migration crisis and secure a place for immigrants deemed high risk.
What conditions do immigrants detained in Guantánamo face?
Immigrants in Guantánamo face harsh conditions: some are in solitary cells, visits from lawyers are prohibited, and personal calls are limited to five monitored minutes each day by ICE. Although it is claimed that they are treated with dignity, there have been reports of inhumane conditions and restrictive measures such as shackles.
What are the criticisms regarding the detention of immigrants in Guantánamo?
The detention of immigrants in Guantánamo has been criticized by human rights organizations, which denounce violations of the fundamental rights of the detainees. The criticisms focus on the lack of access to adequate legal counsel, inhumane detention conditions, and the isolation of the immigrants, which is seen as a violation of international human rights standards.
What legal actions have been taken in response to the detentions in Guantánamo?
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other groups have sued the Trump administration to stop the transfer of immigrants to Guantanamo, citing violations of legal and constitutional rights. A court temporarily halted the transfer of certain Venezuelan immigrants due to a lack of clarity regarding their access to legal counsel and due process.
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