Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit Guantanamo Bay on Tuesday to receive briefings on all mission operations, including the transfer of migrants to the base, as confirmed by the Pentagon. This visit marks Hegseth's first trip to Guantanamo Bay since assuming the role of secretary.
During his visit, Hegseth plans to meet with US service members stationed at the base and aboard the USS Thomas Hudner. The recent transfer of over 170 migrants from the naval base to Venezuela has significantly reduced the population at Guantanamo Bay. Currently, only 17 migrants have been relocated to the detention facility portion of the base, with none housed in the Migrant Operation Center.
The Trump administration has decided to cease efforts to establish tent housing for migrants at Guantanamo Bay due to concerns regarding the facilities' compliance with detention standards set by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The lack of air conditioning and electricity in the tents has raised issues about meeting the required standards.
Recent developments come after a rush to expand housing for migrants at the base, with initial plans to construct tents to accommodate up to 30,000 individuals transferred from the southern border. However, the administration's decision to halt this initiative reflects a shift in strategy regarding migrant housing at Guantanamo Bay.
