Guantanamo Bay, Cuba – More than 150 U.S. troops have arrived at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base as part of the Trump administration’s latest efforts to expand migrant detention operations. The deployment supports ongoing plans to hold thousands of individuals facing deportation, particularly those deemed "criminal migrants."

The White House confirmed the arrival of the forces in a statement on Instagram, saying, "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."

Troops Sent to Expand Migrant Holding Facilities

The forces deployed include Marines from the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, along with elements from U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Army South. The mission aims to expand Guantanamo Bay’s capacity to detain migrants pending deportation.

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that up to 30,000 migrants could be transferred to the facility, citing concerns over other nations’ ability to detain and handle them properly.

"Some of them are so bad we don't even trust the countries to hold them because we don’t want them coming back," Trump stated. "So, we're gonna send them out to Guantanamo. This will double our capacity immediately. And it’s tough. That’s a tough place to get out of."

The administration's move comes amid a broader immigration enforcement push, which has already led to over 7,400 arrests and deportations across multiple states.

DHS: Guantanamo Facility to Be Ready Soon

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem assured in a Fox News interview that preparations at Guantanamo Bay are moving swiftly. Officials expect the facility to be operational for incoming detainees soon.

Acting Secretary of Defense Robert Salesses previously confirmed that an additional 1,500 service members would be sent to the southern border to assist with enforcement operations, including air and intelligence support.

A Controversial History

Guantanamo Bay has long been associated with high-profile detainees from the U.S. war on terrorism. Under the Biden administration, the number of detainees at the facility had dropped to just 15, following transfers to Oman and other U.S. allies.

Efforts to close the detention center date back to President Barack Obama, who signed an executive order in 2009 with the intent to shut it down. However, political and logistical hurdles prevented full closure.

With the latest expansion, Guantanamo Bay is once again positioned as a focal point of U.S. immigration enforcement, raising legal and humanitarian concerns over the treatment of detainees and the long-term implications of the administration's policy.

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