Context:

The Guantánamo migrant operation, initially intended to house up to 30,000 migrants under President Trump's directive, has not expanded as envisioned and currently holds only 32 migrants in established buildings. The operation, which has housed 497 migrants temporarily, is criticized for its high costs and questionable legal authority, with a $40 million expenditure in the first month alone. Many tents erected for this purpose have been dismantled, as there is no plan to hold thousands of migrants at the base, contrary to initial expectations. The agreement between the Department of Homeland Security and the Pentagon allows for detaining migrants linked to transnational crime, but not families as in the 1990s. Recent deportation efforts have faced legal challenges, especially concerning flights that potentially breached court orders by deporting migrants without due process to third countries like El Salvador.

Dive Deeper:

• The operation at Guantánamo Bay was initially set up to house up to 30,000 migrants in tents, but only 32 migrants are currently held in existing buildings, with tents being dismantled as no surge in migrants occurred.

• The operation, which has temporarily housed 497 migrants, is deemed a financial burden, costing around $40 million in the first month, leading to criticisms from Congress and calls for a review of its expenses and legality.

• The dismantling of tents indicates a lack of intent to expand the facility to accommodate tens of thousands, as initially proposed by the Trump administration, with the operation now maintaining a smaller scale of detainee housing.

• Recent agreements between the Pentagon and Homeland Security Department focus on detaining individuals with ties to criminal organizations rather than families, as was the case in the 1990s humanitarian missions.

• Deportation flights have faced legal scrutiny, with concerns about violating court orders by deporting migrants to third countries without proper notification or opportunity for legal defense, highlighting issues around due process.

• Critics argue that the operation is unsustainable and legally questionable, with allegations of wasteful spending and inadequate detention standards, particularly as many tents were never used for their intended purpose.

• Recent deportation activities include the transfer of Venezuelan and Nicaraguan migrants, with flights to El Salvador under legal challenge for potentially bypassing judicial orders, raising questions about the operation's compliance with legal standards.