Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is scheduled to visit Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, on Friday to evaluate the migrant operations center as part of plans to significantly increase the number of individuals temporarily housed there, as confirmed by a DHS official.
The visit coincides with the commencement of military flights transporting migrants to the facility. On Thursday, a military flight departed from the El Paso area to Guantanamo Bay carrying 13 migrants with criminal backgrounds, according to sources. One of the migrants has ties to Tren de Aragua, while others are suspected gang members with criminal convictions ranging from robbery to drug and weapons trafficking. All 13 individuals have received final orders of removal.
Earlier this week, another military flight arrived at Guantanamo Bay with approximately 10 migrants on board. The expansion of the migrant operations center in response to the influx of individuals with criminal histories underscores the administration's efforts to address border security and immigration challenges.
