Trump Orders Migrant Detentions at Guantanamo, Sparking Cuban Backlash

[Social Media]

 

President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum instructing the heads of Homeland Security and Defense to expand the migrant detention center at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The directive orders officials to bring the facility "to full capacity to provide additional detention space for high-priority criminal aliens unlawfully present in the United States, and to address attendant immigration enforcement needs identified by the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security."  

President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed the Laken Riley Act into law, requiring the detention of illegal immigrants accused of thefts or violent crimes.

Read more: https://t.co/28Gck2BeVs pic.twitter.com/FfaS112SKl

— Newsweek (@Newsweek) January 29, 2025

 

"This memorandum is issued in order to halt the border invasion, dismantle criminal cartels, and restore national sovereignty," Trump declared. He further announced that the facility would have 30,000 beds available to house what he called “the worst” undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal records. "Some of them are so bad we don't even trust the countries to hold them because we don't want them coming back," he added.  

 

The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from the Cuban government, which has long opposed the presence of a U.S. naval base on the island. Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned the decision, calling it "an act of brutality" to place migrants next to "known prisons of torture." Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez echoed the sentiment, stating that the move "shows contempt for the human condition and international law."  

 

The Guantanamo Bay naval base has been a point of contention between the United States and Cuba since Fidel Castro came to power in 1959. While the base has primarily been known for detaining terrorism suspects since 2002, it has also been used to house migrants at the Guantánamo Migrant Operations Center under various U.S. administrations.  

 

Despite Havana’s protests, the Trump administration appears unbothered by the diplomatic fallout. With the State Department now led by Marco Rubio, the former Florida senator whose family left Cuba in the 1950s, tensions between Washington and Havana seem unlikely to ease. The move to expand detentions at Guantanamo is likely to further strain relations, yet it aligns with the administration’s broader immigration enforcement agenda.

 

Based on a report by BBC 2025-01-30

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

59 minutes ago, Social Media said:

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned the decision, calling it "an act of brutality" to place migrants next to "known prisons of torture." Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez echoed the sentiment, stating that the move "shows contempt for the human condition and international law."  

They must have missed the bit about it being the "worst" illegals. Given the millions that infest the US I doubt they would all fit in Guantanamo.

[thaibeachlovers]

1 hour ago, Social Media said:

Despite Havana’s protests, the Trump administration appears unbothered by the diplomatic fallout.

I can imagine that Trump's reaction would be somewhat like .

[JonnyF]

Well done Donald.

 

This will be an excellent deterrent for future criminals wishing to break into the US, as well as getting some of the existing ones off US soil. 

 

It's refreshing to see a politician do what he said he was going to do. 

 

Let the Liberals bleat. As Vance said "I don't really care, Margaret". The 2025 version of "Frankly dear, I don't give a damn". 

 

Thank god the Dems let Harris run. I guess DEI does have some benefits 😆. 

[stevenl]

Excellent idea, creating another Guantanamo bay after the disaster of the first. A disaster both parties want but can't get rid of.

[PomPolo]

3 hours ago, Social Media said:

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel condemned the decision, calling it "an act of brutality" to place migrants next to "known prisons of torture."

The UK has a lot to learn from Trump.  Putting the illegals in Guantanamo bay absolute genius you are my hero Mr Trump 🤣

One illegal migrant going to the US to the other, not sure there is much point in going to America they put you in torture camps when you arrive, immigration crisis resolved.

One illegal migrant going to the UK to the other, quick paddle faster our dinner will be getting cold in the Marriott

[FritsSikkink]

I am all for detaining and deporting illegals. I do wonder how many USA Trump voters with the same idea are illegal in Thailand (bribing an immigration officer through an agent as they can't comply with immigration rules on financials). 

[Eric Loh]

Another of his freewheeling policy. It will be soon rescinded when he realize the cost to detent 30,000 migrants at Guantanamo. Cost half a billion to keep the 40 odd prisoners remaining there. Brace yourself for his 2nd week of policies chaos.  

[Thailand]

Moving them from American soil to American soil at enormous cost to a place funded by and staffed by Americans servicemen at enormous cost who could be used more efficiently elsewhere.!

Genius move!

[FritsSikkink]

6 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Well done Donald.

 

This will be an excellent deterrent for future criminals wishing to break into the US, as well as getting some of the existing ones off US soil. 

 

It's refreshing to see a politician do what he said he was going to do. 

 

Let the Liberals bleat. As Vance said "I don't really care, Margaret". The 2025 version of "Frankly dear, I don't give a damn". 

 

Thank god the Dems let Harris run. I guess DEI does have some benefits 😆. 

Don't speak Spanish in the USA or you will be detained: U.S. Citizens Reportedly Detained After Being Overheard Speaking Spanish They have now officially lost the plot. 

[Chomper Higgot]

So that’s the first concentration camp

announced.