As of mid-April, nearly two-thirds of the tents originally set up to house migrants at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base have been removed, according to satellite images reviewed by BBC Verify. The camp was constructed following an order from former President Donald Trump to accommodate up to 30,000 migrants shortly after he took office in January. However, reports indicate only a small number of individuals were detained there.
Migrant Facility at Guantanamo Bay Faces Dismantling Amid Controversy
Migrant Facility at Guantanamo Bay Faces Dismantling Amid Controversy
Recent satellite images reveal that the US has begun to dismantle the migrant facility at Guantanamo Bay, prompting questions about its future and the intentions behind its establishment.
Initial construction of the facility, which began shortly after Trump's announcement, saw around 260 tents erected for the purpose of housing undocumented migrants viewed as potential threats to national security. While the Pentagon spent approximately $38 million on operations at the site in its first month, new satellite images show a significant reduction in the number of tents by mid-April. As of the latest analysis on April 16, around 175 tents have been dismantled, leading to speculation regarding the status of the remaining migrants.
Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, has defended the facility's continued operations, asserting that "a large number of foreign terrorist aliens" still reside at Guantanamo. However, it remains unclear whether the tent removals signify a shift away from Trump's original plans to expand migrant detention capabilities on the island.
Critics of the facility, including a delegation of Democratic senators, have denounced the initiative as wasteful and potentially unconstitutional. They expressed outrage over the high costs and claimed that the facility undermines due process. Since the camp's establishment, reports suggest that approximately 400 migrants have been processed, with many being returned to the US, while others were deported to various nations.
The future of Guantanamo Bay’s migrant facility now hangs in the balance, especially as public scrutiny intensifies concerning the handling of immigration and taxpayer expenses.
Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff, has defended the facility's continued operations, asserting that "a large number of foreign terrorist aliens" still reside at Guantanamo. However, it remains unclear whether the tent removals signify a shift away from Trump's original plans to expand migrant detention capabilities on the island.
Critics of the facility, including a delegation of Democratic senators, have denounced the initiative as wasteful and potentially unconstitutional. They expressed outrage over the high costs and claimed that the facility undermines due process. Since the camp's establishment, reports suggest that approximately 400 migrants have been processed, with many being returned to the US, while others were deported to various nations.
The future of Guantanamo Bay’s migrant facility now hangs in the balance, especially as public scrutiny intensifies concerning the handling of immigration and taxpayer expenses.
