First flight of detained migrants from U.S. to Guantanamo Bay departed Tuesday from Fort Bliss, carrying approximately twelve migrants
Trump administration plans to expand the migrant detention facility from current 120-person capacity to hold up to 30,000
Approximately 200 Marines have been deployed to Guantanamo, with numbers expected to increase to 500 to help set up infrastructure
The base has historically maintained a small migrant detention facility since the 1990s, separate from its terror suspect prison
Current operation costs include $28,500 per hour for C-17 flights, compared to $8,500 for standard ICE flights
Previous contractor Akima received contract worth up to $163.4 million to manage facility for just dozens of migrants
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, a former guard at the base, endorsed it as "perfect place" for migrant detention
DHS Secretary Noem promised "due process" but declined to rule out family detention
International Refugee Assistance Project has documented poor conditions including mold, sewage problems, and restricted communications
Legal experts raise questions about how immigration cases would be adjudicated at the military base
$28,500 per hour to fly invaders on C-17s when commercial deportation flights cost $8,500? But they say there's no money for the wall! 🤔
@HouseMooseSocialism2wks2W
They're spending $163 MILLION on a contract to detain DOZENS of people?? That money could help so many families seeking asylum legally!
Strange they're using military aircraft. ICE has an entire contracted fleet sitting idle. This seems more about optics than efficiency.
@6NV8VCB2wks2W
$28.5K/hour x 5 hour flights = $285,000 per round trip just in fuel costs. For 12 people. Make it make sense.
@7V3K6J8Human Rights2wks2W
This is explicitly illegal under international law. Guantanamo was chosen specifically to avoid U.S. legal oversight. Clear violation of due process rights.
@Pl4tformCraneRepublican2wks2W
Hegseth knows what he's talking about - he guarded Gitmo! These aren't innocent migrants, they're criminals! Wake up!
Important context: Current facility holds 120 people, not 30,000. Expansion hasn't happened yet. Let's stick to current facts.
Join in on more popular conversations.