Key Takeaways
• Trump admin to transfer 9,000 migrants to Guantanamo starting June 11, 2025, expanding from 500 detainees.
• Legal groups filed multiple lawsuits against migrant detention at Guantanamo Bay citing constitutional violations.
• Costs estimated at $100,000 daily per detainee; plans to house up to 30,000 migrants there.
The Trump administration is preparing to transfer approximately 9,000 undocumented migrants to the Guantanamo Bay detention facility as soon as June 11, 2025. This move marks a sharp increase from the roughly 500 migrants who have been held at the facility since February 2025. The plan, revealed in documents obtained by POLITICO, is part of a broader effort to free up space in detention centers across the United States 🇺🇸 and to send a strong message to would-be migrants about the risks of entering the country without permission.
Who is affected? The migrants selected for transfer have already been vetted by U.S. authorities. Most are believed to be from countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, but the administration has not shared details about their identities or backgrounds. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may not notify the migrants’ home countries before the transfers take place.
Why now? The Trump administration says the move is necessary to manage the growing number of people arriving at the southern border and to deter future migration. The decision follows a January 29, 2025 memorandum from President Trump, which ordered the expansion of the Migrant Operations Center at Guantanamo Bay to its full capacity. The memorandum specifically called for more detention space for “high-priority criminal aliens unlawfully present in the United States.”
How will it work? Transfers could begin as early as June 11, 2025. The administration has set up tent facilities outside the existing Migrant Operations Center to handle the increased number of detainees. The ultimate goal is to house up to 30,000 migrants at Guantanamo Bay, though this would require further expansion and resources.
The Plan in Detail
Timeline and Logistics
- Transfers may start as soon as June 11, 2025.
- At least 9,000 migrants have been vetted for transfer.
- Tent facilities are being set up to accommodate the surge in detainees.
- The administration may not inform the migrants’ home countries in advance.
The Trump administration’s plan is moving quickly. According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, this rapid timeline is unusual for such a large-scale operation, especially given the logistical and legal challenges involved.
Purpose and Messaging
The administration says the main reason for using Guantanamo Bay is to free up bed space in detention centers on U.S. soil. However, the choice of Guantanamo Bay—a facility known worldwide for its use in detaining terrorism suspects—also sends a strong deterrent signal to migrants considering entering the United States 🇺🇸 without permission.
Historical Context: Guantanamo Bay and Migrant Detention
Guantanamo Bay has a long and controversial history. In the early 1990s, the Clinton administration used the facility to hold thousands of Haitian migrants, including people diagnosed with HIV. After the September 11 attacks, the U.S. government used Guantanamo Bay to detain terrorism suspects, with the population peaking at 780 people.
For decades, the base has also included a Migrant Operations Center where U.S. officials screen asylum-seekers intercepted at sea. However, the scale and nature of the Trump administration’s current plan are unprecedented.
Recent Developments
- February 5, 2025: The first group of migrant detainees—10 Venezuelan men described as “high-threat” with gang affiliations—arrived at Guantanamo Bay.
- Since February 2025: About 500 migrants have been held at the facility for short periods.
- February 28, 2025: 17 more undocumented migrants were sent to Guantanamo Bay, just days after others were removed to Venezuela.
- Reports from released detainees: Many have described “horrific and abusive conditions” at the facility.
Legal Challenges and Opposition
The Trump administration’s plan has sparked strong opposition from legal advocates and immigrant rights groups. Several lawsuits have been filed to challenge the legality of detaining migrants at Guantanamo Bay and to demand access to the detainees.
Key Legal Actions
- February 12, 2025: A coalition including the ACLU, Center for Constitutional Rights, and International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) filed a lawsuit seeking access to immigrants sent to Guantanamo Bay.
- March 1, 2025: The same groups filed another lawsuit to stop the transfer of immigrants from the United States 🇺🇸 to Guantanamo Bay.
- June 4, 2025: A new lawsuit asks the court to halt the “illegal detention of immigrants at Guantánamo,” arguing that it violates the U.S. Constitution.
Concerns Raised by Legal Experts
- Lee Gelernt (ACLU): Called the plan “illegal and unprecedented” and said it is “about theatrics.”
- Baher Azmy (Center for Constitutional Rights): Stated that “Guantánamo has no purpose other than to project lawlessness, domination, and cruelty.”
- Deepa Alagesan (IRAP): Described the transfers as “not only illegal” but “a moral crisis for this nation.”
Legal advocates argue that Guantanamo Bay is a “legal black hole,” where migrants cannot meaningfully assert their rights or access legal help. They also point out that the administration has provided almost no information about the detainees, including how long they will be held, under what authority, or what legal processes apply.
Operational Details and Financial Costs
The plan to expand migrant detention at Guantanamo Bay involves significant logistical and financial challenges.
Capacity and Expansion
- Goal: House up to 30,000 migrants at Guantanamo Bay.
- Current capacity: About 500 migrants have been held at a time, but tent facilities are being added to increase this number.
Costs
- Estimated cost: $100,000 per day for each detainee, according to Sen. Gary Peters, the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
- Challenges: Pentagon officials have raised concerns about tropical weather, limited staff, and restricted access to medical care for migrants.
There has also been debate within the government about whether the Pentagon or DHS should have legal and physical custody over the detainees. This uncertainty could complicate the operation and raise further legal questions.
Broader Immigration Enforcement Strategy
The use of Guantanamo Bay is just one part of the Trump administration’s wider immigration enforcement strategy.
Increased Arrests and Deportations
- ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) has been told to increase arrest numbers, with senior policy adviser Stephen Miller calling for 3,000 arrests per day.
- Recent arrest rates: ICE has averaged between 800 and 1,000 daily arrests in the past week, compared to 312 per day during President Biden’s final year in office.
- Budget resolutions: The House and Senate have passed measures that could provide more funding for mass deportation plans.
- Other measures: The administration is considering using military bases and invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to support its enforcement efforts.
These actions reflect a broader push to tighten immigration controls and remove more people from the United States 🇺🇸, especially those who entered without permission or have criminal records.
Conditions for Detainees at Guantanamo Bay
Information about the current conditions at Guantanamo Bay is limited, but reports from released detainees and legal advocates paint a troubling picture.
Key Concerns
- Lack of transparency: The administration has provided almost no information about the migrants detained at Guantanamo Bay, including how long they will be held, what rights they have, or whether they can contact family or lawyers.
- Temporary detention: The plan is to hold migrants at the facility temporarily before deporting them to their home countries.
- Abusive conditions: Released detainees have reported “horrific and abusive conditions,” including poor living conditions and lack of access to medical care.
- Legal limbo: Advocates say Guantanamo Bay is a “legal black hole,” making it hard for migrants to challenge their detention or seek help.
These conditions have raised serious human rights concerns among advocacy groups and members of Congress.
Implications for Stakeholders
For Migrants
- Uncertainty: Migrants face uncertainty about how long they will be held, what rights they have, and whether they can contact family or lawyers.
- Risk of abuse: Reports of poor conditions and lack of oversight raise concerns about the safety and well-being of detainees.
- Legal challenges: Migrants may have limited ability to challenge their detention or seek asylum.
For Families
- Lack of information: Families may not know where their loved ones are or how to contact them.
- Emotional distress: The uncertainty and reports of abuse can cause significant stress and anxiety for families.
For Legal Advocates
- Barriers to access: Lawyers and advocacy groups face challenges in reaching detainees and providing legal help.
- Ongoing litigation: Legal groups are pursuing multiple lawsuits to challenge the legality of the detentions and seek better conditions for migrants.
For U.S. Government and Taxpayers
- High costs: Detaining migrants at Guantanamo Bay is expensive, with costs estimated at $100,000 per detainee per day.
- Political controversy: The plan has sparked debate in Congress and among the public about the best way to manage immigration and protect human rights.
What Happens Next?
As the Trump administration moves forward with its plan, several things could happen:
- Legal challenges may delay or stop transfers: Courts could rule that the detentions are illegal or order better conditions for detainees.
- Congress could intervene: Lawmakers may hold hearings or pass legislation to limit the use of Guantanamo Bay for migrant detention.
- International response: Other countries, especially those whose citizens are detained, may protest or demand information about their nationals.
The situation is changing quickly, and more developments are expected in the coming days and weeks.
Practical Guidance for Affected Individuals and Families
If you or someone you know may be affected by these transfers, here are some steps you can take:
- Contact legal aid organizations: Groups like the ACLU, Center for Constitutional Rights, and IRAP are actively working on these cases and may be able to help.
- Monitor official updates: The Department of Homeland Security provides information about detention and removal processes on its official website.
- Document everything: Keep records of any communication with authorities and try to maintain contact with family members.
For those seeking legal forms or information about immigration detention, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides resources and forms, such as Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s plan to transfer thousands of migrants to Guantanamo Bay represents a major shift in U.S. immigration policy. While the stated goal is to manage detention capacity and deter unauthorized migration, the move has raised serious legal, financial, and human rights concerns. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the rapid expansion of migrant detention at Guantanamo Bay is likely to face ongoing legal challenges and public debate.
For migrants, families, and advocates, the coming weeks will be critical. Staying informed, seeking legal help, and documenting all interactions with authorities are essential steps. The situation remains fluid, and further updates are expected as legal and political battles continue.
Learn Today
Guantanamo Bay → A U.S. naval base in Cuba used for detaining terrorism suspects and migrants under controversial conditions.
Migrant Operations Center → Facility at Guantanamo Bay where U.S. officials screen asylum seekers intercepted at sea.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) → U.S. federal agency responsible for immigration enforcement and border security.
Alien Enemies Act → A 1798 law allowing detention of non-citizens during wartime for national security reasons.
Legal black hole → A situation where legal protections are limited or absent, restricting detainees’ rights and access.
This Article in a Nutshell
The Trump administration plans to transfer 9,000 migrants to Guantanamo Bay by June 11, 2025, escalating from 500 detainees. Legal challenges have arisen due to alleged abuses and high costs. This unprecedented move aims to relieve U.S. detention centers and send a deterrent message to unauthorized migrants seeking entry.
— By VisaVerge.com
