The Trump administration has sparked international controversy with its latest plan to relocate thousands of irregular migrants, including hundreds of European nationals, to the U.S. military base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba. This move, potentially set to commence this week, was initially reported by Politico and later confirmed by The Washington Post through internal documents and official government sources.
According to leaked documents, over 9,000 migrants are currently undergoing medical examinations as part of a selection process for possible transfer to the naval base at Guantánamo Bay. This number marks a significant increase from the approximately 500 migrants who briefly passed through the facility since February.
Officials claim the main reason for the plan is to alleviate overcrowded detention centers in the country, which have reached their maximum capacity due to a surge in arrests. However, this initiative extends beyond a temporary relocation. Back in January, Trump ordered the preparation of facilities at Guantánamo to accommodate up to 30,000 migrants, marking the largest extraterritorial detention operation in recent U.S. history.
European Nationals Targeted for Transfer
One striking aspect of the plan is the inclusion of at least 800 migrants who are citizens of European countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Poland, Ukraine, Turkey, and Lithuania. Politico reports that the State Department is attempting to persuade the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to exclude European nationals from the plan due to potential diplomatic tensions with allied nations.
"The message is meant to shock and disturb people. But we are allies," an anonymous State Department official told Politico. While Spain has not yet been specifically mentioned among the affected countries, reports suggest that the list remains open.
Initial Diplomatic Reactions
Italy was the first European nation to officially respond. Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani strongly opposed the transfer of Italian citizens to Guantánamo, asserting that Italy is ready to fully cooperate in repatriating its nationals. "Italy has already informed the U.S. administration that it is willing to receive back the irregulars, respecting their individual rights and providing consular assistance. Therefore, there should be no possibility of Italians being sent to Guantánamo," Tajani stated, as reported by the Spanish news outlet 20 Minutes.
While other European nations have not made official statements, they have privately expressed concerns over the lack of prior notification and the diplomatic precedent set by allowing their citizens to be sent to a military base without trial or consular coordination.
Guantánamo as a Migration Tool
Located on Cuban soil leased by the U.S. since 1903, the Guantánamo Bay naval base became a symbol of the U.S.'s anti-terrorism efforts following the September 11, 2001 attacks. Over the years, more than 780 terrorism suspects have been held there under conditions criticized as arbitrary and inhumane by human rights organizations. Under President Trump's leadership, the base is now being repurposed as a temporary detention center for migrants subject to expedited removal proceedings.
Despite the White House's insistence on this being a provisional solution, the high costs, detention conditions, and symbolic significance of the location have raised alarms. Senator Gary Peters, a Democrat and leader of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, highlighted that keeping detainees at Guantánamo costs approximately $100,000 per day per individual. Additionally, the facility suffers from insufficient staffing, infrastructure issues, and limited medical access, concerns echoed by senior Pentagon officials, according to The Washington Post.
Legal Challenges and Public Outcry
The ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) has filed a class-action lawsuit in a Washington federal court challenging the "punitive" conditions faced by migrants detained at Guantánamo. The lawsuit claims there are currently about 70 migrants detained at the base. The ACLU argues that the U.S. government has failed to provide a legitimate reason for detaining immigrants at Guantánamo instead of within U.S. detention centers. "The defendants are using the threat of Guantánamo detention to frighten immigrants, deter future migration, induce voluntary departure, and compel detainees to accept deportation without appeal," the lawsuit states. The case is being reviewed by Judge Carl Nichols, appointed by Trump during his first term.
A Politically Charged Operation
The renewed use of Guantánamo as a migrant detention center occurs amid a broader escalation of U.S. immigration policy. Trump's senior advisor, Stephen Miller, has pushed for ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to conduct 3,000 daily arrests, leading to the collapse of numerous detention facilities. Simultaneously, the administration is urging Congress to increase funding for new centers and deportation agents.
Some DHS officials have noted that while many migrants' countries of origin have shown willingness to repatriate them, they have not acted swiftly enough to meet Trump's demands, justifying their immediate transfer to Guantánamo without prior notification.
Trump's plan to use Guantánamo as a mass migrant detention center not only signifies an unprecedented radicalization of U.S. immigration policy but also risks diplomatic fallout with key European allies. Legal uncertainties, high operational costs, reported conditions, and the symbolic weight of the Cuban military base contribute to the ongoing controversy. So far, neither the Department of Homeland Security nor the State Department has provided official comments.
Questions on Guantánamo's Role in U.S. Immigration Policy
Why is the Trump administration considering using Guantánamo for migrants?
The administration believes it will help alleviate overcrowded detention centers in the U.S., which have reached full capacity due to increased arrests.
What are the main concerns about detaining migrants at Guantánamo?
Concerns include high costs, inadequate facilities, limited medical access, and the symbolic implications of using a site associated with past human rights abuses.
How have European countries reacted to the proposed plan?
Italy has officially opposed the transfer of its citizens, and other European nations have expressed concerns over the lack of prior notification and potential diplomatic repercussions.