The first U.S. military flight deporting migrants to Guantanamo Bay was set to take off Tuesday, marking the beginning of a larger effort to house migrants at the naval base in Cuba. The move is part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration strategy, which envisions using the facility as a holding center with the capacity to detain up to 30,000 people.
Guantanamo Bay Prepares for Influx of Migrants
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who previously served at Guantanamo Bay during his military career, has described the base as an ideal location for detaining migrants. In preparation, additional U.S. troops have been deployed to the site in recent days to assist with logistical and security measures.
Increased Deportation Flights Underway
The U.S. has also ramped up deportation flights to other destinations. On Monday, a flight carrying Indian migrants back to India was in progress as of midday Tuesday. Previous deportation flights have transported migrants to Ecuador, Guam, Honduras, and Peru. Additionally, Colombian officials coordinated two separate flights to return their nationals.
The expansion of deportation efforts signals a shift in immigration policy, with Guantanamo Bay now playing a central role in Trump’s approach to managing migrant detention and removals.
