The Trump administration has decided to halt its plan to accommodate deported immigrants in tent camps at the Guantánamo Naval Base in eastern Cuba, as reported by CNN on Monday. The decision comes amid concerns about the inadequate living conditions at the facilities.
Officials familiar with the situation told the news network that the tents fail to meet the detention standards required by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), such as air conditioning and electricity. The cancellation follows the recent rushed efforts by U.S. authorities to prepare additional accommodations for deportees to the base.
Just four days ago, 177 migrants who had been held there were flown back to Venezuela, their home country, with a stopover in Honduras. A source informed CNN that 17 other immigrants were relocated to the base's detention center area, and the tents are currently not in use. The report also noted that no further flights carrying migrants are expected in the next couple of days.
In late January, President Trump ordered an expansion of the detention center at the military base, located on Cuban territory, with the aim of housing up to 30,000 deported immigrants from the U.S., primarily high-risk criminals, including members of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. This initiative is part of his administration's broader strategy to curb illegal immigration and detain migrants accused of serious offenses who have faced deportation challenges.
The first undocumented immigrants arrived at the facility in early February, and less than a month later, the government opted to remove them, thereby avoiding the need for a temporary court order and addressing legal challenges regarding detention conditions and detainees' rights. The Department of Justice defended the removal, emphasizing that the detention at Guantánamo was “temporary, not indefinite,” according to the Associated Press.
CNN reported that of the 177 Venezuelan migrants sent back last week, 126 had criminal charges or convictions, while 51 had no criminal record. Approximately 1,000 U.S. military personnel are supporting the mission in Guantánamo, a region known for its high temperatures.
The naval base had previously been used to detain individuals during the U.S.-led war on terror. Between August 1994 and February 1996, over 30,000 Cuban rafters were sent there after attempting to reach the U.S. on makeshift rafts and other vessels.
FAQs on Guantánamo Tent Camp Plan Suspension
Why was the plan to house immigrants in Guantánamo tent camps suspended?
The plan was suspended due to concerns over inadequate living conditions, as the tents did not meet the detention standards set by ICE.
Who were the immigrants being housed at the Guantánamo Naval Base?
The immigrants primarily included those deported from the U.S., with a focus on high-risk criminals, such as members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
What was the original goal of expanding the detention center at Guantánamo?
The original goal was to accommodate up to 30,000 deported immigrants, as part of efforts to curb illegal immigration and detain serious offenders.