Despite plans to accommodate 30,000 migrants at Guantánamo Bay, only 300 have been transferred so far, leading to questions about logistical preparedness and operational readiness.
Guantánamo's Unused Capacity for Migrant Detention Amidst Slow Transfers
Guantánamo's Unused Capacity for Migrant Detention Amidst Slow Transfers
The U.S. plans to house thousands of migrants at Guantánamo Bay, yet only a fraction have arrived as construction halts and facilities sit empty.
In a recent initiative by the Trump administration to address immigration concerns, Guantánamo Bay is slated to become a detention facility for migrants awaiting deportation. Initially, President Trump announced that the base could house up to 30,000 individuals. However, after more than a month into the mission, the reality starkly contrasts these figures. Reports indicate that fewer than 300 men have been relocated from immigration holding sites in Texas, and only 40 were on-site as of the weekend.
The Departments of Defense and Homeland Security began preparations, erecting tents for prospective migrants, yet those facilities remain unoccupied. Current capacity is limited to just 225 detainees, as confirmed to visiting Congressional members. The available infrastructure for housing consists of a small dormitory near the airport, capable of accommodating 50 men, alongside a prison facility meant for suspected terrorists.
Plans for a larger tent city have been drastically slowed, with only around 195 tents set up. These structures, designed to hold between 10 to 12 occupants each, are currently empty. This situation raises critical questions about the U.S.'s ability to manage the surge of migrants as promised and the implications of such a facility for immigration enforcement moving forward.
