First flight of 10 high-threat illegal aliens arrives at Guantanamo Bay
Members of Tren de Aragua
The first flight of high-threat illegal aliens from the United States arrived on January 5, 2025, at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to detaining transnational criminals.
The 10 individuals onboard are all members of the Tren de Aragua, a notorious criminal organisation that was designated as a foreign terrorist entity by the White House last month.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that the individuals, known for their violent criminal activities both within the US and internationally, pose a significant threat to public safety and regional stability. A recent executive order from the White House described the group’s actions as “extraordinarily violent, vicious, and destabilising” for the Western Hemisphere.
Upon arrival at Guantanamo Bay, the 10 detainees were relocated to vacant detention facilities. These individuals are not housed alongside the detainees from the US War on Terror but are being kept in a separate area designated for criminal aliens. The decision to use this facility was solidified in a memorandum issued last month, directing the expansion of detention operations at the naval base to accommodate more individuals awaiting deportation.
“I hereby direct all appropriate actions to expand the migrant operations centre at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to full capacity to provide additional detention space for high-priority criminal aliens unlawfully present in the United States,” stated a memorandum from the White House.
The high-threat individuals are transported directly to their home countries via US military aircraft, commonly known as “grey tails.” This recently introduced method of deportation has been seen as necessary to handle individuals who may not yet have full repatriation agreements.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, in a recent interview, explained the rationale behind the use of Guantanamo Bay as a temporary holding facility. “We want somewhere else to hold them safely in the interim,” Hegseth said, highlighting the need for secure locations for individuals in transit.
Hegseth, who served at Guantanamo Bay between 2004 and 2005, stated that the use of the facility as a waypoint for high-threat criminals is part of a broader strategy for mass deportations, spearheaded by the administration’s firm stance on illegal immigration.
As deportation efforts continue, Hegseth assured that the Department of Defence would remain a key partner in supporting the mission to remove dangerous individuals from US soil.
Image: An aerial view of the Leeward Airfield at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Credit: US Navy
Last Updated on 5 days by Arnold Pinto
