On Thursday, the United States government dispatched a second aircraft carrying undocumented migrants deemed high-risk to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, according to Kristi Noem, the United States Secretary of Homeland Security. "These individuals are known gang members from Venezuela. Their heinous crimes include: confessed murder; wanted in Venezuela for prison escape and aggravated robbery with a weapon/attempted murder; arms trafficking; theft; distribution of dangerous drugs; assault and identity fraud," Noem stated on X.
The flight on February 6 transported 13 Venezuelan immigrants under tight security measures, joining the 10 who had arrived on Tuesday, as reported by NBC News. Earlier, the government had announced that the first group of 10 immigrants to reach the Base were members of the notorious Tren de Aragua gang.
Another flight is scheduled for Friday; however, the number of undocumented migrants to be deported today remains unknown. All flights originate from Texas. It is still uncertain how long these immigrants will be detained at the U.S. naval base in Cuba.
Additionally, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem is set to visit the Guantanamo Base on Friday, as a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security indicated. Currently, there are approximately 300 U.S. military personnel supporting detention operations at the Guantanamo Naval Base.
At least 230 of these service members are U.S. Marines from the 6th Marine Regiment, whose deployment began last Friday. The number of military personnel will vary based on the requirements of the Department of Homeland Security, the federal agency leading immigrant-related operations.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who was stationed at Guantanamo during his active military service, described the Naval Base as a "perfect location" for housing immigrants. Hegseth is expected to sign additional deployment orders to send more troops for logistical and other support roles to the Base.
President Donald Trump views the facility as a detention center, projecting it to accommodate up to 30,000 individuals. Amy Fischer, Director of the Refugee and Migrant Rights Program in Amnesty International's U.S. division, condemned the use of Guantanamo Bay to house immigrants.
"Sending immigrants to Guantanamo is a profoundly cruel and costly measure. It isolates them from lawyers, family members, and support systems, casting them into a black hole where the U.S. government can continue violating their human rights out of sight. Close Guantanamo now and forever!" Fischer declared in a statement.
Key Questions About Migrant Detention at Guantanamo
Why are high-risk Venezuelan migrants being sent to Guantanamo Bay?
The U.S. government has classified these Venezuelan migrants as high-risk due to their connections to known gangs and involvement in severe criminal activities. The Guantanamo Bay Naval Base is being used to detain them under strict security measures.
What is the Tren de Aragua gang?
The Tren de Aragua is a notorious criminal gang originating in Venezuela, known for its involvement in violent crimes, including murder, drug trafficking, and robbery. Members of this gang have been identified among the migrants sent to Guantanamo.
What are the criticisms of using Guantanamo for migrant detention?
Critics argue that detaining migrants at Guantanamo is inhumane and costly, isolating them from legal and familial support, thus enabling the U.S. government to potentially violate their human rights without public oversight.
How many people can Guantanamo accommodate as a detention center?
President Donald Trump has indicated that the Guantanamo Bay facility could be used to detain up to 30,000 individuals, viewing it as a suitable location for such purposes.