The administration of U.S. President, Donald Trump, spent 40 million dollars in just one month to keep about 400 immigrants detained at the naval base in Guantánamo, in eastern Cuba.
According to Democratic Senator Jack Reed, as reported by The New York Times (NYT), the amount was described as an "extraordinary and unnecessary waste." His remarks followed a visit to the base last week, which he led along with four other Democratic senators.
In a joint statement, the group denounced that Guantánamo is a place "likely illegal and illogical for detaining immigrants" and harshly criticized the use of military resources for immigration purposes.
According to the NYT, the geographical isolation of Guantánamo — separated from the rest of Cuba by a minefield, with its own power generation and limited access to supplies that must be delivered from Florida by plane or boat — makes its operation extraordinarily expensive.
Deportations, setbacks, and depletion
The detention center received criticism for the inadequate conditions of the facilities, which did not meet the standards set by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), such as air conditioning or basic electrical supply.
In March, the government withdrew the last 40 migrants who remained in Guantánamo, and canceled the plan to accommodate up to 30,000 people in hastily erected tents within the base.
At the time, Trump had stated that those spaces would primarily be used for high-risk criminals, including members of Tren de Aragua, a dangerous criminal organization of Venezuelan origin. However, they later did not rule out sending individuals without a criminal record as well.
Marco Rubio: "Worse than Al Qaeda"
The Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, escalated the tone of his speech even further by stating that the migrants temporarily sent to Guantanamo were “worse than the members of Al Qaeda” who once occupied the detention facilities at the same base, reported the agency EFE.
The statements triggered a wave of reactions, both within Congress and among human rights organizations, which regard these comments as stigmatizing and dangerous, especially for Venezuelans seeking asylum.
Plans for more detention centers
Despite the failure in Guantánamo, the Trump administration has not given up on expanding immigration detention. According to an internal memo from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), revealed by National Public Radio (NPR), the administration plans to build new detention centers at least at ten military bases within the continental U.S.
The goal, according to the document, is for these centers to operate as "deportation processing centers" and to accommodate undocumented immigrants awaiting expulsion from the country.
Frequently asked questions about the use of Guantánamo for the detention of immigrants
Why did the Trump administration use the Guantánamo base to detain immigrants?
The Trump administration decided to use Guantanamo as a detention center for immigrants with the aim of easing pressure on detention facilities in U.S. territory. It was argued that the base could house irregular immigrants charged with crimes, especially those deemed "high-risk." However, this initiative faced criticism for its high costs and the inadequate conditions of the facility.
How much did the operation for the detention of immigrants in Guantanamo cost?
The Trump administration spent 40 million dollars in one month to keep immigrants detained in Guantánamo. This expenditure was described as an "extraordinary and unnecessary waste" by Democratic Senator Jack Reed and was criticized due to the high investment in an isolated location with challenging logistical access.
What were the main criticisms regarding the detention of immigrants in Guantanamo?
The criticism focused on the inadequate conditions of the facilities and the lack of rights for detainees. Human rights organizations reported that the conditions violated international standards and that detainees did not have adequate access to legal counsel. Furthermore, the base was deemed a place "likely illegal and illogical" for such purposes.
What happened to the immigrants detained in Guantánamo following the criticisms and legal actions?
In response to criticism and legal challenges, the Trump administration decided to remove immigrants from Guantanamo and transfer them to detention centers in the United States. This move aimed to avoid the need for temporary court orders and ongoing legal lawsuits. However, reports have surfaced about plans to expand the facilities at Guantanamo, which could suggest a future use of the base for detentions.
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