President Donald Trump has ordered federal agencies to detain thousands of illegal immigrants at Guantanamo Bay, targeting individuals with extensive criminal records. The administration is expanding an existing migrant facility at the U.S. naval base in Cuba, which will soon hold up to 30,000 detainees.
Trump announced the decision Wednesday, stating that many of these individuals cannot be safely released or deported. “Some of them are so bad, we don’t even trust their countries to hold them because we don’t want them coming back,” he said. He emphasized that Guantanamo Bay provides a secure location to keep these individuals out of American communities.
🚨BREAKING: Trump says he will be signing an Executive Order to send the worst of the United States illegals to Guantanamo Bay in a 30,000 bed facility. pic.twitter.com/EQVJ7LZCv4
— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) January 29, 2025
The facility at the base has long been used to house detainees, including terrorism suspects following the 9/11 attacks. However, a separate migrant holding center has also operated there for decades. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, noted that past administrations have used the site for similar purposes, calling the expansion a necessary step.
🚨🔥Kristi Noem says Trump’s 30,000-person facility for criminal aliens at Guantanamo Bay will be for the WORST of the WORST:
“The worst of the worst is where it will be utilized. The American people don’t want these dangerous criminals on their streets.” pic.twitter.com/qey467agqO
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 29, 2025
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed that the Department of Defense and Homeland Security will work together to ensure the facility is ready to process and remove dangerous illegal immigrants. He described it as a temporary transit center, not a long-term detention site.
🚨Trump signing Executive Order to use Guantanamo Bay to hold over 30,000 illegal aliens
Boom🔥 pic.twitter.com/fJNxJuC9jd
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) January 29, 2025
Since Trump took office, more than 7,300 illegal immigrants have been deported under new enforcement policies prioritizing criminals. The administration has also pushed Congress for additional funding to speed up removals and strengthen border security.
Trump: We’re gonna send the illegals to Guantanamo Bay.
Me: pic.twitter.com/r1SASm0vve
— LCpl of America First (@LCplofMarines75) January 29, 2025
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the plan, calling it an “act of brutality” and accusing the U.S. of carrying out “illegal detentions” on Cuban soil. The administration dismissed his objections, stating that the facility will be used to ensure dangerous individuals are kept out of the United States.
