During the signing of the Laken Riley Act on Wednesday, former President Donald Trump announced plans to establish a detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, capable of holding up to 30,000 migrants who are living in the United States illegally and cannot be deported to their home countries.
Trump revealed the initiative just before signing the immigrant detention measure, marking the first legislative act of his new administration. “We’re going to send them out to Guantanamo,” he stated in the White House East Room, without providing further details. The U.S. military base at Guantanamo Bay has historically been used to detain individuals linked to the U.S. war on terrorism.
Trump hailed the Laken Riley Act as a “landmark law” and a “tremendous tribute” to the Georgia nursing student after whom it is named. The legislation requires the detention and potential deportation of individuals in the U.S. illegally who are accused of theft or violent crimes, even before a conviction is secured.
Laken Riley, 22, was killed in February 2024 while out for a run. Her attacker, Jose Antonio Ibarra, a Venezuelan national living in the U.S. illegally, was convicted in November and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
“She was a light of warmth and kindness,” Trump said during the signing ceremony, which was attended by Riley’s parents and sister. “It’s a tremendous tribute to your daughter what’s taking place today, that’s all I can say. It’s so sad we have to be doing it.”
He added, “It’s a landmark law that we’re doing today. It’s going to save countless lives.”
