Inside Gitmo Exclusive Trump's Migrant Plan
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth provided an exclusive glimpse into Guantánamo Bay, showcasing the Trump administration’s decisive approach to illegal immigration.
In a remarkable display of transparency, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth welcomed Fox News host Laura Ingraham to Guantánamo Bay, revealing the inner workings of the facility now used to detain illegal migrants. Departing early from Joint Base Andrews, Ingraham documented her journey to the expansive military base in southeastern Cuba, sharing her findings on ‘The Ingraham Angle’ on Wednesday. Guantánamo Bay, notorious for holding terrorism suspects linked to the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, has taken on a new role under President Donald Trump’s directive. Shortly after his inauguration on January 20, Trump authorized the use of the facility to detain certain illegal immigrants, marking a significant shift in policy aimed at curbing illegal immigration into the United States.
Trump’s vision for Guantánamo Bay extends beyond its current capacity. In January, he expressed his intention to expand the facility to accommodate up to 30,000 people, signaling a robust response to the ongoing immigration crisis. ‘We’re here aboard the Department of Defense government plane on the way to Naval Station Guantánamo Bay, where everybody knows there are flights of illegal immigrants arriving on a regular basis. That is the administration’s decision as a way station before they are returned home,’ Ingraham reported, highlighting the strategic use of the base as a temporary holding facility.
Hegseth, making his first visit to Guantánamo Bay since his confirmation in January, brought a wealth of experience to the table. Having served as a U.S. Army lieutenant at the base from 2004 to 2005 with the New Jersey National Guard, he was well-positioned to assess the facility’s operations. His visit included briefings on all mission operations, with a particular focus on the detention facility where illegal migrants are temporarily housed before being repatriated.
Addressing swirling media reports of alleged mistreatment and inhumane conditions at Gitmo, Hegseth was unequivocal in his rebuttal. He dismissed such claims as ‘B.S.,’ asserting that the notion of mistreatment was ‘absolute garbage.’ He described the living conditions for migrants as ‘austere’ yet equipped with ’every basic amenity that you could need,’ including medical and dental care, health checks, welfare checks, and recreational opportunities. ‘This is about temporarily holding high-profile, high-threat individuals who, then, we send home,’ Hegseth explained, emphasizing the temporary nature of their stay.
Hegseth’s visit also underscored the administration’s firm stance against cartels, many of which have been designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration. When pressed by Ingraham on his message to these cartels, Hegseth’s response was resolute: ‘We’re taking nothing off the table. Nothing. We will do whatever it takes to secure the American homeland, to maintain our sovereignty and protect the American people.’ He left no room for doubt, stating that potential strikes inside Mexico on fentanyl labs were not ruled out. ‘Anything’s on the table. The commander-in-chief, ultimately, with my consultation, with the chairman and others, will make those determinations, but nothing is off the table. Our sovereignty will be defended.’
The effectiveness of the Trump administration’s approach was evident in recent operations. Last week, nearly 200 Venezuelan illegal migrants arrested in the United States were flown back from Guantánamo Bay after Venezuela agreed to accept its citizens. Earlier this month, two flights transported 190 illegal immigrants from the United States to Venezuela, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to repatriation. The U.S. government has identified some of these Venezuelan illegal immigrants as members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang, a group that Trump has highlighted as emblematic of the threat posed by illegal immigrants.
Upon arriving at Gitmo, Ingraham reported the arrival of a migrant flight from Fort Bliss, carrying nine high-value detainees. Hegseth praised the operation as ‘incredibly professional,’ reflecting on his own time at Guantánamo Bay during his military service. ‘The message is clear: If you break the law, if you are a criminal, you can find your way at Guantánamo Bay. You don’t want to be at Guantánamo Bay, which is where we housed al Qaeda after 9/11. They’re professionals. They do their job. It’s not easy. It’s not an easy time. It’s a maximum-security prison,’ he stated, underscoring the seriousness and professionalism of the operations at the facility.
This exclusive look into Guantánamo Bay not only sheds light on the Trump administration’s strategy for handling illegal immigration but also reaffirms the unwavering commitment to national security and the rule of law. The actions taken at Guantánamo Bay are a testament to the administration’s resolve to protect the American people and uphold the country’s sovereignty at all costs.