Three Venezuelan immigrants detained in New Mexico are seeking legal protection to prevent a potential transfer to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba amid President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. The immigrants, held at the Otero County Processing Center, fear being sent to Guantanamo after witnessing other detainees from the facility being flown to the U.S. naval base in recent days.
The court filing by their lawyers highlights concerns that the immigrants, accused of false ties to the Tren de Aragua gang, could be targeted for detention at Guantanamo. The filing requests a temporary restraining order from the U.S. District Court to block any potential transfer, citing the uncertainty created by the government regarding legal process and counsel access.
The lawsuit on behalf of the three men was filed by the Center for Constitutional Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico, and Las Americas Immigrant Advisory Center. The Tren de Aragua gang, originating in Venezuela, has seen an increase in activity as a result of the political and economic turmoil in the country, leading to a surge in migration to other parts of Latin America and the U.S.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the arrival of detainees at Guantanamo, prompting immigrant rights groups to demand access to those detained there to prevent the base from becoming a 'legal black hole.' The White House reported over 8,000 arrests in immigration enforcement actions since Trump's inauguration, as part of his administration's pledge to deport millions of undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S.
