The last migrants held at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have been returned to the U.S. mainland, awaiting deportation proceedings. This marks the end of a controversial program initiated to house individuals flagged for removal from the country.
Forty detainees were transported to Louisiana on Tuesday, including 23 described as “high-threat illegal aliens” previously held in the base’s detention center. The operation was conducted using a civilian aircraft, directed by officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Details surrounding the detainees remain scarce, with both ICE and the Department of Homeland Security declining to comment on the specifics of the operation. Requests for information regarding identities, countries of origin, and alleged crimes have been consistently met with silence.
Homeland Security officials previously stated that many of those sent to Guantanamo were linked to the Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua. These individuals face serious accusations, including murder, attempted murder, assault, and weapons and drug trafficking.
The decision to utilize Guantanamo Bay as a detention center for migrants slated for deportation was announced earlier this year. Officials described the facility as suitable for housing “the worst of the worst” among those facing removal.
The base initially housed nearly 200 detainees, utilizing both its existing prison and a migrant operations center originally constructed in the 1990s. Individuals often remained at Guantanamo for days or weeks before being deported.
Recent weeks saw a flurry of deportations, including 177 detainees sent to Honduras with the intention of onward repatriation to Venezuela. However, the facility continued to receive new detainees even as others were deported.
The use of Guantanamo Bay to house migrants has sparked legal challenges from immigration rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union. Lawsuits allege the transfers violate U.S. law and impede access to legal counsel and family contact.
The Department of Homeland Security has dismissed these allegations, accusing the ACLU of prioritizing open borders over public safety and the rights of American citizens. They maintain their legal position and intend to defend against the ongoing lawsuits.
The program’s conclusion raises questions about future strategies for managing deportation proceedings and the ongoing debate surrounding immigration enforcement policies. The controversial chapter at Guantanamo Bay is now closed, but the underlying issues remain.
