Judge Tosses Trump’s Bid
A major immigration ruling delivered Friday has slowed the Trump administration’s push to use Guantanamo Bay as part of its larger border-security strategy. U.S. District Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan rejected the government’s request to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the detention of migrants at the U.S. Navy base, ensuring the issue will move forward in federal court. A follow-up hearing is now scheduled for next week.
President Donald Trump announced earlier this year that his administration would expand the use of the Guantanamo Bay detention center to house what he called the “worst criminal aliens”—individuals with final removal orders who pose risks to American communities. The administration argued that the facility offers one of the most secure and cost-effective locations for holding dangerous non-citizens awaiting deportation.
According to the court’s findings, roughly 500 migrants were processed through the base between February and June. For the administration, Guantanamo functioned as a secure transfer point to prevent criminal offenders from being released into U.S. cities while their removal orders were carried out.
However, activist organizations, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have aggressively fought the policy. ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt applauded the judge’s decision, claiming the practice was unlawful—even though federal law grants wide authority to detain individuals with final deportation orders. The lawsuit argues the administration should not use military facilities for immigration enforcement, despite long-standing precedent.
The Department of Homeland Security strongly defended President Trump’s approach. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin made clear the administration is prepared to continue the legal battle.
McLaughlin said the administration is confident a higher court will affirm its authority to use the facility, stressing that the goal is to keep dangerous offenders away from American communities.
Guantanamo Bay—known worldwide as “Gitmo”—has a decades-long history of housing high-risk detainees, including terror suspects after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Supporters of the President argue that using such a secure site for criminal migrants is both responsible and necessary to protect the country.
As the case moves forward, it is expected to become a key legal test in the ongoing debate over America’s immigration enforcement powers and the Trump administration’s efforts to restore law and order at the border.
