President Donald Trump has ordered the expansion of a migrant detention facility at Guantanamo Bay to house thousands of illegal immigrants considered to be serious threats to public safety. The move is part of his administration’s broader strategy to address illegal immigration and national security concerns.

Speaking on Wednesday, Trump announced plans for a 30,000-person facility at the U.S. naval base in Cuba, explaining that many of those being detained are criminals who cannot be safely deported. Some of them are so bad, we don’t even trust their countries to hold them because we don’t want them coming back,” Trump stated.

🚨BREAKING: Trump says he will be signing an Executive Order to send the worst of the United States illegals to Guantanamo Bay in a 30,000 bed facility. pic.twitter.com/EQVJ7LZCv4

— Autism Capital 🧩 (@AutismCapital) January 29, 2025

His directive instructs the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security to expand existing infrastructure to accommodate the increase in detainees. According to officials, this will immediately boost capacity and strengthen enforcement efforts. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described the facility as a necessary step to process and return individuals in a controlled environment.

🚨🔥Kristi Noem says Trump’s 30,000-person facility for criminal aliens at Guantanamo Bay will be for the WORST of the WORST:

“The worst of the worst is where it will be utilized. The American people don’t want these dangerous criminals on their streets.” pic.twitter.com/qey467agqO

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 29, 2025

The Guantanamo Bay site has long been used to house individuals linked to terrorism, particularly after the September 11 attacks. While the facility currently holds only 15 terrorism suspects, it has also been used for migrant detentions in the past. Trump’s appointed border czar, Tom Homan, emphasized that the base already has a migrant center in place and that the administration is simply expanding its use.

🚨Trump signing Executive Order to use Guantanamo Bay to hold over 30,000 illegal aliens

Boom🔥 pic.twitter.com/fJNxJuC9jd

— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) January 29, 2025

Since Trump took office, U.S. immigration officials have already deported more than 7,300 individuals, with new policies prioritizing the removal of those with criminal histories. Trump has also urged Congress to allocate additional resources for immigration enforcement and border security efforts.

Trump: We’re gonna send the illegals to Guantanamo Bay.

Me: pic.twitter.com/r1SASm0vve

— LCpl of America First (@LCplofMarines75) January 29, 2025

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel criticized the plan, calling it “an act of brutality” and arguing that the U.S. is violating Cuban sovereignty by using the base for mass detention. The Trump administration, however, has dismissed these concerns, reaffirming its commitment to removing dangerous individuals from American communities.