Asger Risom
Leaked documents and official responses fuel controversy over revived use of the U.S. military base for migrant detention.
The United States is once again facing scrutiny over the possible use of Guantánamo Bay as a detention site — this time, not for terror suspects, but for undocumented migrants. A trove of revelations from U.S. media has triggered denials, diplomatic responses, and fresh questions about the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement plans.
A Leaked Plan; A Heated Denial
According to HotNews, President Donald Trump signed a directive earlier this year ordering preparations for a migrant detention facility at Guantánamo Bay capable of holding up to 30,000 people.
Reports from outlets such as Washington Post and Politico allege that this includes citizens from allied nations, among them Romania and Italy.
The White House has dismissed the reports as “fake news,” while the U.S. Department of Homeland Security pointed to that denial. However, the Romanian and Italian governments have both issued statements confirming that discussions are ongoing with Washington and expressing concern about their nationals being included in such plans.
Guantánamo’s Legacy and Controversy
Long associated with post-9/11 detentions, Guantánamo Bay’s prison facility was originally created in 2002 under President George W. Bush. While President Joe Biden has voiced support for closing the site, the military base itself has remained active — now possibly repurposed for mass migration control.
Past U.S. administrations have used the base to process migrants, including Haitian and Cuban asylum seekers. A 1994 operation under President Bill Clinton saw the camp’s population swell to over 45,000. Rights groups have sharply criticized its use, alleging indefinite detention without due process.
Diplomatic Pushback and Legal Roadblocks
Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani stated that Rome would do “everything possible” to prevent its citizens from being transferred to the base, insisting that Italy is already repatriating nationals and that Guantánamo is for cases where home countries refuse returns.
Romania has echoed similar sentiments, noting that only a small number of its citizens are in U.S. immigration custody, and many are already scheduled for repatriation.
Despite denials, U.S. agencies have reportedly been preparing infrastructure and logistics to scale up the base’s capacity, at a significant cost.
NBC reported earlier this year that military flights had already transferred dozens of migrants at a cost of over $21 million.
This evolving situation leaves many unanswered questions about legality, transparency, and the long-term implications for U.S. immigration policy.