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Guantanamo Migrant Detention Effort Falls Short After $21M Spent on Flights

Trump administration's Operation Southern Guard detains only 32 migrants at Guantanamo Bay, far below its 30,000-bed target, as costs and criticism mount.

The first U.S. military aircraft to carry detained migrants to a detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, on Feb. 4, 2025.
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Overview

  • The Trump administration spent over $21 million on 46 military flights transporting migrants to Guantanamo Bay between January 20 and April 8, 2025.
  • Guantanamo Bay currently holds just 32 migrants, a fraction of the 30,000 capacity goal set by President Trump in January.
  • The military flights, which cost $26,277 per flight hour, were suspended on March 1 due to high expenses, with deportation efforts shifting to commercial flights.
  • Operation Southern Guard, involving DHS, ICE, and the military, has faced significant criticism for its costs, logistical inefficiencies, and lack of transparency.
  • Senator Elizabeth Warren and human rights groups have condemned the effort as a wasteful political maneuver and raised concerns about legal and humanitarian implications.