U.S. Marines arrived at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba on Sunday as part of an effort to expand detention facilities for illegal aliens.
The White House confirmed the deployment, stating that the troops will support the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in broadening the Migrant Operations Center.
A post by the White House featured images of a military aircraft landing at Guantanamo Bay with Marines.
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“U.S. Marines have arrived at Guantanamo Bay to support the Department of Defense and Homeland Security in expanding the Migrant Operations Center—advancing President Trump’s mission to protect Americans and secure our nation,” the caption read.
U.S. Marines have arrived at Guantanamo Bay to support the Department of Defense and Homeland Security in expanding the Migrant Operations Center—advancing President Trump’s mission to protect Americans and secure our nation. pic.twitter.com/2NUUAg0cU9
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 2, 2025
More than 150 service members are now stationed at Guantanamo Bay for this mission.
Those deployed include Marines from the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division, and personnel from U.S. Southern Command.
Additional support has also come from U.S. Army South.
JUST IN: Trump announces new Executive Order to prepare a 30,000-person illegal immigrant facility at Guantanamo Bay.
“I’m also signing an executive order to instruct the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security to begin preparing the 30,000-person migrant facility at… pic.twitter.com/b2iLmxoLp8
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 29, 2025
The naval base, commonly known as GITMO, has historically been used as a detention center for terrorists, including individuals involved in the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Now, as the Trump administration moves forward with mass deportations, the facility is being prepared to house illegal migrants.
The administration has faced challenges in deporting illegal migrants, with some nations refusing to accept return flights of their citizens.
Last weekend, a dispute arose between President Trump and Colombian President Gustavo Petro after Petro initially rejected the arrival of military planes carrying Colombian nationals who had entered the U.S. illegally.
Trump responded by threatening economic and diplomatic sanctions, after which Colombia agreed to accept the deportations.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem did not rule out the possibility of housing migrant women and children at the former prison camp.
When asked by Meet the Press host Kristen Welker whether families could be detained at Guantanamo Bay, Noem responded, “You know, if you look at what we are doing today of targeting the worst of the worst, we’ve been very clear on that. The priority of this president is to go after criminal aliens that are making our streets more dangerous.”
She further stated that the administration would use available facilities to detain migrants, including families.
“I think you’re well aware we have other detention facilities, other places in the country,” Noem said.
“So we will utilize what we have according to what’s appropriate for the individuals that we have gone out on these targeted operations with local law enforcement and task forces.”
Alongside operations at Guantanamo Bay, Trump has deployed an additional 1,500 soldiers and Marines to support the estimated 2,500 already stationed at the southern border.
The US Marine Corps Is On The Border Assisting CBP With The Mission To Secure America
Promise Made –> Promise KEPT! pic.twitter.com/t384DH1FDl
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 24, 2025
The administration plans to send a total of 10,000 U.S. troops to aid in border security efforts, which include closing the border, stopping illegal crossings, and targeting drug and human trafficking operations.
The expansion of Guantanamo Bay’s facilities and the deployment of additional military personnel signal a significant escalation in the administration’s immigration enforcement policies.
As operations continue, further developments are expected in the coming weeks.
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