According to reports, on March 11, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) moved the last 40 migrants who had been detained at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, back to the United States, thus emptying out the Guantanamo detention center. This was the second time the Trump administration brought migrants to Guantanamo and then removed them. In February, 177 Venezuelans were brought to Guantanamo and then repatriated to Venezuela, and on March 2, 48 were brought to the United States from Guantanamo. About 290 migrants have been brought to Guantanamo and then flown out following President Trump’s order to take migrants there.
It was unclear why the 40 migrants were flown from Guantanamo to the international airport in Alexandria, Louisiana, as no announcements were made. The move occurred shortly before a U.S. district court was scheduled to hear several cases challenging aspects of the Guantanamo detention policy. The operation has cost a reported $16 million so far, with a staff of about 1,000 security personnel and contractors, many from U.S. military bases.
Also, on March 13, 2025, following a drop in apprehensions along the U.S. southwest land border, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that it is closing some of the temporary processing facilities in that area. “CBP no longer has a need for them as illegal aliens are being quickly removed. The U.S. Border Patrol has full capability to manage the detention of apprehended aliens in its permanent facilities. Manpower and other resources dedicated to temporary processing facilities will be redirected toward other priorities and will speed CBP’s progress in gaining operational control over the southwest border,” said Pete Flores, Acting CBP Commissioner.