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The administration of Donald Trump removed the last 40 migrants who were being held at the Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba and returned them to detention centers in the United States, according to official sources.
Although the president had indicated that he would house 30,000 immigrants at that facility located in eastern Cuba, this Wednesday's decision marks the second emptying of the facility in less than a month, following the deportation of 177 Venezuelans in February.
Among the 40 individuals sent to that territory in eastern Cuba by Trump, there were 23 "highly dangerous" individuals, according to statements to the media La Voz de América from administration officials.
Now the detainees who had been sent to Guantanamo will wait for deportation on the mainland, they emphasized.
Although the government has not provided detailed explanations regarding the sudden relocation, it was reported that the migrants were transported to facilities of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Louisiana.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), consulted by The New York Times, did not provide any comments on the matter.
The Trump administration had presented the Guantanamo base as a detention center for migrants deemed "high risk," including some alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang.
However, no evidence has been presented linking migrants to criminal organizations, which has led to criticism and legal challenges by human rights advocacy groups.
The transfer takes place days before a federal court in Washington hears a lawsuit against the detention policy in Guantánamo, which challenges the legality of sending migrants to foreign territory without their consent.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also challenged the lack of legal access for detainees at the base.
Since Trump took office, around 290 migrants have been sent to Guantánamo, far from the 30,000 that his administration had projected to house at the base.
Despite the high operational costs—estimated at $16 million—and the numerous legal hurdles, the administration still does not rule out the future use of the base for detaining migrants.
Frequently Asked Questions about Immigrant Detention in Guantánamo
Why did the United States decide to withdraw immigrants from the Guantanamo Naval Base?
The government of Donald Trump removed immigrants from Guantánamo to avoid legal challenges and scrutiny regarding the legality of the detentions. They also indicated that the detention in Guantánamo was meant to be temporary and not indefinite. This measure was also taken to eliminate the need for temporary court orders that questioned the conditions of detention.
What criticisms has the immigrant detention policy in Guantánamo received?
The detention policy in Guantánamo has been criticized by human rights organizations, such as the ACLU, which have denounced the lack of legal access and the inhumane conditions at the base. Lawsuits have been filed challenging the legality of sending migrants to foreign territory without their consent and the lack of evidence linking the detainees to criminal organizations.
What was the initial plan of the Trump administration for the Guantánamo base?
The initial plan of the Trump administration was to use the Guantánamo base to house up to 30,000 immigrants deemed "high risk." However, the actual number of detainees was much lower, and they faced legal challenges and international criticism that led to a reconsideration of the use of the facility for mass detentions.
What has the Cuban government said about the use of Guantánamo to detain immigrants?
The Cuban government has strongly rejected the United States' decision to use the naval base for the detention of immigrants, labeling it as "brutality." Cuban authorities consider the base to be illegally occupied territory and have warned of possible "serious consequences" for regional stability.
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