Recent court filings have shed light on the situation at Guantanamo Bay, where migrants are being transferred from the United States on a daily basis. While senior Trump administration officials have previously stated that the facility is reserved for the 'worst of the worst,' it has come to light that not all individuals sent there are considered high threats.
According to the newly filed court declarations, out of the total migrants transferred to Guantanamo Bay, 127 are classified as high threat and are being held in the base's maximum-security prison. On the other hand, 51 migrants are categorized as low-to-medium threat and are being housed at the migrant operations center within the facility. Notably, all of these individuals are from Venezuela.
These revelations have come to light as part of an ongoing lawsuit regarding the lack of legal access for migrants held at Guantanamo Bay. One such migrant, Luis Alberto Castillo Rivera, aged 29, was reportedly unable to access legal counsel until 13 days after his arrival at the facility. Castillo Rivera had initially presented himself at a port of entry along the US-Mexico border on January 19, following which he was swiftly placed in fast-track deportation proceedings and subsequently transferred to Guantanamo Bay. The government has alleged that he is a suspected associate of the gang Tren de Aragua.
These developments have raised concerns about the treatment and legal rights of migrants held at Guantanamo Bay, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in the handling of such cases. As the situation continues to unfold, advocates and legal experts are closely monitoring the proceedings to ensure that the rights of all individuals, including migrants, are upheld in accordance with the law.
