On January 29, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security to expand the Migrant Operations Center at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay. The facility is being prepared to detain up to 30,000 high-priority criminal aliens unlawfully present in the United States.
Key Details:
- Purpose: The expanded facility aims to detain “the worst criminal illegal aliens threatening the American people,” according to President Trump.
- Capacity Increase: The initiative will double the current detention capacity, providing additional space for high-priority criminal aliens.
- Implementation: The executive order instructs the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Homeland Security to take all appropriate actions to expand the facility to full capacity.
Context:
This move is part of the administration’s broader strategy to enhance immigration enforcement and public safety. It follows the signing of the Laken Riley Act, which mandates the detention of illegal aliens charged with theft or violent crimes.
Reactions:
The decision has sparked criticism from various quarters. Legal advocacy groups and the Cuban government have condemned the plan, citing concerns over human rights and the historical use of Guantanamo Bay.
The expansion of the Guantanamo Bay facility represents a significant development in U.S. immigration policy, reflecting the administration’s commitment to stringent enforcement measures.