Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Local Syrian sources: The raids targeted the road between the village of Al-Mazra'a and the city of Sweida, where forces and factions affiliated with the Syrian Ministry of Defense are advancing.
Local Syrian sources: New raids carried out by Israeli warplanes targeted vehicles and gatherings of military factions affiliated with the new Syrian Ministry of Defense.
Local Syrian sources: Israeli raids target, for the third time, gatherings of Syrian Defense Forces military factions in the southern countryside of Sweida.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza Strip hospitals received 120 martyrs and 557 wounded in the past 24 hours.
The Israeli Walla! website: We are running out of stockpiles, our forces are exhausted, and the lives of the captives are in danger. It is time for a ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Several wounded in an Israeli bombardment of a tent in al-Mawasi, south of Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli media: Three wounded, three killed in an ongoing operation in the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli artillery shelling targets the outskirts of the town of Shebaa
Al-Qassam Brigades: The targeting took place at the intersection of 'Street 5' with the western line north of Khan Younis
Al-Qassam Brigades: A NIMR armored personnel carrier carrying an Israeli soldier was targeted with an Al-Yassin missile north of Khan Younis

US initiates migrant transfers to Guantanamo amid crackdown

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 4 Feb 2025 23:53
3 Min Read

The base also has a long history of holding migrants.

Listen
  • x
  • AP
    FILE - In this photo reviewed by US military officials, a building in Cuba carries the Spanish message "Republic of Cuba. Free American Territory," behind a gate marking the border with the US Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba, June 6, 2018. (AP)

The US government has started relocating detained migrants to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba, marking a significant shift in immigration policy under President Donald Trump's administration. Officials confirmed the first flights departed Tuesday, sending a group of migrants to the facility historically associated with detaining terrorism suspects.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced the move in an appearance on Fox Business, stating, "Today, the first flights from the United States to Guantanamo Bay with illegal migrants are underway." A defense official, speaking anonymously to AFP, detailed that the transport involved about a dozen detainees classified as "high-threat illegal aliens." These individuals, according to the source, will be held in the detention facility but kept separate from high-profile terrorism suspects.

A controversial holding facility

Guantanamo Bay is primarily recognized for its role in housing individuals accused of terrorism by the US, including alleged 9/11 plotters. However, the base also has a long history of holding migrants. During the 1990s, thousands of Haitian and Cuban asylum seekers were detained there, often for extended periods, before being repatriated.

Related News

Trump to make historic second UK State visit at King's invitation

EU rallies allies as Trump tariff threats push trade tensions higher

The latest decision aligns with Trump's broader immigration enforcement strategy, which has included increased deportations and border security measures.

Last week, the president directed officials to prepare the base to accommodate up to 30,000 migrants.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the policy, describing Guantanamo as the "perfect place" for detaining individuals who enter the US unlawfully. During a recent visit to the US-Mexico border, he stated that the Pentagon will provide any necessary assets "to support the expulsion and detention of those in our country illegally."

Increased enforcement efforts

Since taking office for a second term, Trump has intensified efforts to curb "illegal" migration, ordering mass arrests and deportations. Thousands of undocumented migrants have been detained, and many have already been returned to countries such as Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, and Brazil. Trump has also threatened to impose severe sanctions on Colombia for refusing to accept deported individuals.

According to US Southern Command, approximately 300 military personnel are currently stationed at Guantanamo Bay to oversee "illegal alien holding operations." Officials have assured that detainees sent to the base will be kept in separate quarters from terrorism suspects, though human rights organizations have voiced concerns over potential rights violations and the conditions at the facility.

Read more: US deports first group of undocumented Indian migrants: Bloomberg

  • United States
  • Migrant Crisis
  • Guantanamo Bay
  • Illegal migrants

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS