The Trump administration has decided to halt efforts to house migrants in tent structures built at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This decision was made due to concerns that the facilities do not meet detention standards, as they lack air conditioning and electricity. The move comes after officials recently set up additional housing for migrants at the controversial US base on the island, only to deport those who were already there.
While the tent structures are currently not in use, migrants are still being placed in the detention facility on the base and at the Migrant Operations Center. Initially, the Trump administration had planned to build out tent structures at Guantanamo Bay to accommodate an anticipated 30,000 people transferred from the southern border. However, sources have revealed that the tents do not currently meet detention standards set by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and there have not been enough people transferred to the base to justify building more.
This situation highlights the challenges faced by the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security in housing migrants at the naval base following President Donald Trump's directive in January. The mission has reportedly been plagued by confusion and conflicting internal messaging regarding leadership and the fate of migrants upon arrival.
More than 170 migrants at the naval base were recently flown to Venezuela, nearly emptying Guantanamo. Subsequently, 17 migrants have been brought to the detention facility portion of the base. The Pentagon has referred inquiries to US Southern Command for further information.
