Trump Plans Executive Order to Ready Guantanamo Bay for 30,000 'Criminal Illegal Immigrants'

President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday his plans to issue an executive order directing the Pentagon to transform Guantanamo Bay into a detention center for 30,000 "criminal illegal aliens." 

"Today, I am also signing an executive order to direct the Department of Defense and Homeland Security to start preparing a facility at Guantanamo Bay that can accommodate 30,000 migrants," Trump stated. "Most people are unaware of this capability."

He explained that the facility has 30,000 beds available to hold individuals deemed a threat to U.S. citizens, ensuring they would not return to the community. "Some of these individuals are so dangerous that we cannot trust their home countries to detain them effectively because we do not want them back," Trump remarked, "We will send them to Guantanamo."

He described the location as "a difficult place to escape from." According to Trump, this action moves the U.S. closer to eliminating the problem of migrant-related crime within its borders. He further urged Congress to fully fund border security enhancements and support the deportation of a record number of undocumented immigrants.

On the previous day, the Trump administration utilized social media to spotlight recent ICE arrests, emphasizing the crackdown on illegal immigration. "ICE recorded 969 arrests of illegal immigrants on January 27, 2025," was posted on X by the White House, showcasing profiles of nine immigrants with convictions for grave offenses like child rape or connections to gangs and terrorist groups.

Trump's 2024 campaign had focused on reducing illegal immigration, which he claimed had surged under the previous administration. As the 47th President, he committed to deporting migrants with extensive criminal records or affiliations with gangs and terrorist organizations. Within his first week back in office, Trump signed ten executive orders to reform U.S. immigration policies, including tightening asylum procedures, involving the military in deportation efforts, and empowering ICE to expedite migrant removals. 

Since his swearing-in on January 20, federal immigration enforcement has conducted significant operations, with the Department of Homeland Security announcing the removal of 7,300 undocumented individuals over the past week.