U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday his intention to expand the migrant detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to accommodate up to 30,000 migrants. This move involves directing the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security to prepare the site for the increased capacity.
The existing facility at Guantanamo Bay has been intermittently used for decades to detain migrants, including Haitians and Cubans intercepted at sea. President Trump emphasized that the expansion aims to house the \"worst of the worst\" criminal illegal aliens posing threats to American safety.
\"Today 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 Guantanamo Bay,\" Trump declared at the White House. He further stated that the new facility would detain individuals so dangerous that their home countries cannot be trusted to hold them, effectively doubling the current capacity.
Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, confirmed that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency would oversee the expanded facility. Shortly after the announcement, Trump signed a memorandum calling for additional detention space, though it did not specify the exact number of migrants.
When questioned about the financial implications, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem mentioned that the administration is collaborating with congressional reconciliation and appropriators to determine the necessary funding for the expansion.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
