Over the weekend, a significant mobilisation of U.S. Marines and soldiers took place at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, as part of the Trump administration’s strategy to detain migrants who entered the U.S. illegally. The deployment, which supports the ongoing immigration crackdown, involves setting up temporary facilities to accommodate those detained under President Trump’s broader plan to deport migrants.
As of Monday, 310 service members were stationed at Guantanamo Bay to assist with the detention mission, according to a spokesperson for U.S. Southern Command. The contingent includes 170 Marines from the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, an infantry unit, who arrived at the base on Saturday. Their task is to prepare the site by setting up tents, cots, and other essential infrastructure in support of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Personnel from U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Army South were also involved, although specific numbers from these units have not been disclosed. The spokesperson noted that the number of service members could fluctuate based on the requirements of the DHS, the agency responsible for handling irregular migration operations at the installation.
The decision to use Guantanamo Bay for migrant detention comes amid President Trump’s aggressive push to curb illegal immigration and enforce a large-scale deportation effort. Last week, the president announced that the facility has “30,000 beds to detain the worst criminal aliens threatening the American people.” However, neither the White House nor the Pentagon have disclosed further details on who will be detained at Guantanamo or what legal processes they will undergo. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem assured that detainees would be afforded “due process,” but did not elaborate on what this would entail.
Guantanamo Bay’s prison facility has long been associated with high-profile detainees, particularly those connected to the 9/11 attacks, but it has also been used to hold migrants in previous administrations. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth suggested that the installation, with its extensive resources, is “the perfect place” to detain migrants, including “hardened criminals.” However, it is unclear whether he was referring to the Migrant Operations Center, established by Trump’s executive order, or the high-security detention camp where suspected terrorists remain housed.
While some reports have indicated that up to 500 Marines may eventually be deployed to the base, the spokesperson for U.S. Southern Command did not confirm the final number. The service members currently stationed at Guantanamo Bay are primarily tasked with logistical support, preparing the site for the eventual arrival of detainees.
1st Sgt. Johnny Stone, a Marine who was mobilised for the operation, expressed confidence in the readiness of the troops. “This is what we train for,” he said, referring to the swift deployment and preparation for such missions. “We stay ready, and here we are.”
The exact location of the tents and cots within the 45-square-mile installation remains unclear, with officials stating that further details would be provided as the operation progresses. Some military representatives, particularly those from the Navy, were unable to comment on the specifics of the mission, though the base is under their management.
As the situation evolves, it remains to be seen whether the Guantanamo Bay facility will undergo further expansion to accommodate the expected influx of detainees. The continued use of the base for migrant detention is expected to draw further scrutiny, particularly regarding the legal and human rights implications of such a policy.
