The US Department of Defense has made considerable changes to a migrant camp established at Guantanamo Bay, based on satellite imagery reviewed, highlighting a reduction in the number of tents used for housing migrants. Initially ordered by former President Donald Trump shortly after taking office, the facility was designed to accommodate 30,000 migrants, but only a fraction have been housed there during its operation.
Despite spending around $38 million on migration-related operations in the initial month of 2023, reports indicate that around two-thirds of the deployed tents, roughly 175 now dismantled, were removed by mid-April. A defense official clarified that this transition signals optimized resource use rather than diminished readiness.
The establishment of the migrant operations center began in late January with construction continuing until early March, involving temporary military structures intended for housing. Although the camp significantly expanded the existing facilities used for processing migrants, it remains distinct from the notorious detainee facility known for housing individuals accused of terrorism.
Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff at the White House, insisted in a recent interview that the facility is still operational and reaffirmed the presence of "a large number of foreign terrorist aliens." However, it's unclear how many migrants remain at the base. Estimates suggest the tent capacities would accommodate fewer than 3,000 people based on US military sleeping guidelines.
While Trump had stated that the expansion would primarily serve undocumented migrants considered as security risks, only around 400 migrants have reportedly been sent to the facility since its launch, with many already returned or deported. Democratic senators visiting the site expressed outrage over the perceived misuse of military resources, criticizing the scale and costs involved in transporting immigrants to Guantanamo, deeming it a significant waste of taxpayer money.
