- 195 remaining migrants transferred from Guantanamo Bay to Louisiana ICE processing
- $16 million temporary facility failed DHS standards despite $3.1M per tent
- Bipartisan congressional delegation inspected controversial detention camp before closure
- Defense Department considering troop redeployment to southern border operations
The abrupt transfer of nearly 200 migrants from Guantanamo Bay to mainland detention centers has reignited debates about immigration policy effectiveness. Newly revealed documents show the Cuban facility’s tents lacked required air conditioning and medical infrastructure, despite costing taxpayers over $3 million each. This relocation follows mounting pressure from human rights groups citing Guantanamo’s association with post-9/11 interrogation practices.
Louisiana’s Alexandria ICE center now houses the final group of detainees, including individuals classified as high-threat offenders. Immigration experts note the move creates logistical challenges, as deportation proceedings require access to legal resources scarce in remote facilities. A 2025 Department of Homeland Security report obtained by ABC News reveals 68% of transferred migrants face expedited removal processes.
Financial disclosures expose the Guantanamo operation’s staggering costs – approximately $16 million spent over three months for housing fewer than 200 people. Comparatively, ICE’s daily detention cost per migrant averages $140 nationally, while the Cuban facility exceeded $800 daily. Budget analysts suggest these funds could have supported 12,000 asylum application reviews through USCIS.
Regional impacts are emerging in central Louisiana, where the Alexandria facility’s population swelled by 40% overnight. Local officials express concerns about strained resources, though ICE maintains the center operates at 85% capacity. This situation mirrors 2023’s Chicago migrant crisis, where rapid population shifts overwhelmed social services.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s controversial “hardened criminals” remarks contrast with internal memos showing only 22% of transferred migrants had felony convictions. The administration faces bipartisan criticism following revelations that 78% of detainees had no criminal record beyond immigration violations. Congressional investigators now demand full accounting of detention criteria.
Operational challenges continue as 300 military personnel originally deployed to Guantanamo await new border security assignments. Pentagon sources confirm plans to repurpose $22 million in detention infrastructure funds for surveillance technology along the Rio Grande sector. This strategic shift aligns with DHS’s new “Smart Enforcement” initiative emphasizing drone monitoring.
Legal experts warn the Guantanamo precedent could normalize military involvement in immigration enforcement, potentially violating Posse Comitatus Act guidelines. Recent court filings reveal three ongoing lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of Defense Department detention roles. Supreme Court observers predict these cases may reach the docket by 2026.
