The United States has begun deporting criminal migrants to Guantanamo Bay, with the first military flight landing in Cuba on Tuesday evening. This move, confirmed by US officials, signals the start of a controversial policy under former President Donald Trump, who has long advocated for using the facility as a migrant detention center. The decision has sparked strong reactions from human rights organizations and political leaders, reigniting debates over Guantanamo’s role in US immigration policy.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that these deportation flights are now operational, emphasizing Trump’s strict stance on illegal immigration. Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the decision, calling Guantanamo Bay a “perfect facility” for holding migrants. He pointed to its past use for detainees following the 9/11 attacks as proof of its capability to house large numbers of individuals.
Sources revealed that the flight transported around a dozen migrants from Fort Bliss, Texas, to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. In anticipation of further arrivals, the US military has also increased its presence at the facility. Reports indicate that approximately 300 troops, including 230 Marines from the 6th Marine Regiment, have already been deployed, with total personnel expected to reach 500 in the coming days.
However, this policy has drawn sharp condemnation from human rights groups. Amnesty International USA’s Refugee and Migrant Rights Program director, Amy Fischer, criticized the move as “profoundly cruel,” warning that it isolates detainees from their legal rights and separates them from their families. Similarly, Hannah Flamm of the International Refugee Assistance Project cautioned that detaining migrants at Guantanamo Bay could lead to indefinite confinement and severe human rights abuses.
Guantanamo Bay has long been a focal point of controversy due to its history of holding terrorism suspects without trial. The latest decision to use it for migrant detention has reignited calls for its permanent closure. Advocacy groups argue that housing migrants in a high-security military facility sets a dangerous precedent and undermines legal protections for asylum seekers.
Despite the backlash, Trump remains firm in his commitment to expanding Guantanamo’s role in his broader immigration crackdown. He has suggested that the facility could hold up to 30,000 people, positioning it as a central part of his strategy to deter illegal immigration. As deportation flights continue, the move is likely to fuel further legal and political battles, with activists and lawmakers pushing back against the policy.