President Donald Trump announced an executive order directing the Pentagon to prepare Guantanamo Bay to detain 30,000 “criminal illegal aliens.” Speaking on Wednesday, Trump stated that most people were unaware of the facility’s capacity and that it would be used to house detainees who pose a threat to the U.S. He emphasized that some migrants are too dangerous to be trusted in their home countries and that Guantanamo is a “tough place to get out of.”
Trump framed the move as part of his broader effort to eliminate migrant-related crime, calling it a step toward “eradicating the scourge” of illegal immigration. He also urged Congress to provide full funding for border security and resources to deport record numbers of undocumented migrants.
The Trump administration has ramped up its immigration enforcement efforts, highlighting mass apprehensions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). On January 27, 2025, the White House reported on X (formerly Twitter) that ICE had made 969 arrests in a single day. The post showcased nine specific cases involving illegal immigrants with prior convictions for serious crimes, including child rape, or alleged ties to gangs and terrorist organizations.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump vowed to crack down on illegal immigration, blaming the Biden administration for the surge in border crossings. Since returning to office, he has swiftly implemented a series of executive actions aimed at immigration enforcement. On his first day in office, Trump signed ten executive orders to overhaul U.S. immigration policies. These included restricting asylum access for those without proper documentation, deploying the military to assist in deportations, and tasking ICE with removing migrants.
In the first week of his second term, the administration has launched aggressive deportation raids across U.S. cities. The Department of Homeland Security reported that law enforcement had removed and returned 7,300 illegal aliens in the past week.
Trump’s renewed immigration policies reflect his hardline stance, reinforcing his commitment to fulfilling campaign promises while intensifying debates over border security and human rights concerns.
