President Donald Trump has ordered federal agencies to prepare Guantanamo Bay as a detention site for tens of thousands of illegal immigrants with serious criminal records. The decision, announced Wednesday, expands existing facilities at the U.S. naval base in Cuba to hold up to 30,000 detainees.
Trump said the individuals being sent there are too dangerous to be released or trusted in the custody of their home countries. “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 stated while addressing the move.
🚨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 base, long known for detaining terrorism suspects, also has an underutilized migrant detention center. The administration’s border czar, Tom Homan, pointed out that the site has housed migrants for decades and will now be used to full capacity. “We are simply making use”, he said.
🚨🔥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 emphasized that the facility will not serve as a permanent holding center but as a processing site before deportation. His department, working alongside Homeland Security, will be responsible for ensuring that those detained are eventually returned to their countries.
🚨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’s return to office, over 7,300 illegal immigrants have been deported, with the administration prioritizing criminals for removal. Trump is also urging lawmakers to allocate more resources for border security, reinforcing his immigration crackdown.
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 responded to the announcement by condemning the plan as an “act of brutality” and accusing the U.S. of expanding “illegal detention” on Cuban land. The Trump administration has dismissed those objections, standing firm on its commitment to securing the border and removing dangerous individuals.
