Only ten undocumented immigrants arrived at the Guantanamo Naval Base on Tuesday, as confirmed by U.S. authorities on Wednesday. The nationalities of those selected remain undisclosed, but all have prior criminal records. Various statements from U.S. officials emphasize that Guantanamo will house the most dangerous criminals.
"The worst of the worst offenders will be held at the military facility. Donald Trump has made it very clear: the worst of the worst will be locked up at Guantanamo Bay," stated the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on X. "Flights to Guantanamo Bay have commenced. The worst of the worst have no place in our homeland," echoed CBP on X.
Kristi Noem, the current Secretary of Homeland Security, also expressed her stance. "Recent arrests have included convicted murderers, rapists, child abusers, drug dealers, MS-13 gang members, and cartel members. Under President Trump’s administration, the United States is no longer a safe haven for violent criminals," she declared on the same social platform.
Images shared by the Department of Defense reveal the USS St. Louis (LCS 19) littoral combat ship anchored in the waters of the Naval Base. The ship's crew is assisting in the expansion of the Migrant Operations Center as part of Operation Southern Guard, according to an official statement.
Military Support in Guantanamo
"In compliance with an order from the President of the United States, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Defense (DOD) have deployed military personnel to support DHS-led deportation operations at the naval station. To carry out this directive, U.S. Southern Command has set up a Joint Task Force of Migratory Operations at the base," the document further elaborates.
The images depict numerous military personnel setting up expedition tents and other logistical infrastructures to expand the Migrant Operations Center. The initial phase of this expansion will accommodate up to 2,000 migrants, with future phases planned to further increase capacity.
First Glimpse of Deported Migrants
The U.S. government released the first images of immigrants transported to the Guantanamo naval base in Cuba on Tuesday, as part of President Donald Trump's deportation policy. The photographs, shared by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, showed a group of individuals dressed in gray uniforms, handcuffed, and escorted by security agents.
Less than a week ago, Trump announced the construction of a detention center at the Guantanamo Naval Base, with the capacity to house up to 30,000 migrants. This move is part of his strategy to strengthen control over illegal immigration and detain migrants accused of serious crimes who cannot be deported to their home countries.
The plan has sparked criticism and international concern. The Cuban government strongly opposed the decision, denouncing it as "brutality" and warning of potential "serious consequences" for regional stability. Additionally, human rights organizations have expressed concerns over the use of Guantanamo, known for its history of human rights violations, as a detention center for migrants.
Despite the critiques, the Trump administration has defended the measure as a solution to alleviate pressure on detention centers within the U.S. and manage the migration crisis more effectively. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth stated that the Department of Defense is coordinating efforts to prepare areas within the base for this purpose.
This development is part of a series of actions by the Trump administration aimed at ramping up deportations and supporting immigration policies, including the expansion of expedited removals and the suspension of visas to countries that do not cooperate in accepting their deported citizens.
Key Questions on Guantanamo Deportations
Why are immigrants being sent to Guantanamo?
Immigrants with serious criminal records are being sent to Guantanamo as part of President Trump's policy to detain those deemed the most dangerous and who cannot be deported to their home countries.
What is the capacity of the detention center at Guantanamo?
The newly announced detention center at Guantanamo Naval Base is expected to eventually accommodate up to 30,000 migrants.
What are the criticisms regarding this policy?
Critics, including the Cuban government and human rights organizations, have raised concerns about potential human rights violations and regional instability resulting from this policy.