President Trump signed a memo ordering the preparation of a massive facility at Guantánamo Bay to house deported migrants.
The big picture: The facility is intended to house up to 30,000 migrants and will be prepared by the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security.
- Guantánamo Bay, located in Cuba, has been historically used to house military prisoners, including individuals involved in the 9/11 attacks.
- President Trump emphasized the need for a facility like this to detain what he referred to as the “worst criminal illegal aliens” and to prevent them from re-entering the United States.
Driving the news: The order is part of a broader government initiative aimed at removing certain immigrants from the United States.
- The Guantánamo Bay base has a controversial history, particularly in relation to accusations of torture and abuse during the war on terrorism.
- Since taking office, President Trump has signed a series of executive orders intended to tighten immigration policies, including declaring a national emergency at the southern border, deploying military assets, and limiting pathways to asylum.
- The administration’s increased deportations have led to logistical challenges, especially when certain countries refuse to accept deported migrants, resulting in diplomatic tensions.
- Notably, the Trump administration faced a standoff with the president of Colombia after he initially refused to accept planes of deported immigrants, which was eventually resolved after Trump threatened tariffs and sanctions.