Migrant Facility at Guantanamo Bay Faces Significant Downsizing

Recent satellite imagery reveals the dismantling of migrant tents at Guantanamo Bay, sparking discussions about the intended use and current operations of the facility.

The US government has confirmed the dismantling of significant portions of the migrant camp located at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, as highlighted by recent satellite images analyzed by BBC Verify. This camp was initially ordered for expansion by former President Donald Trump to house up to 30,000 migrants shortly after he took office, but the actual occupancy remained minimal.

Official reports indicate that the Pentagon allocated approximately $38 million for deportation and detention at the Guantanamo site within the first month of operations this year. However, satellite imagery dated April 16 shows that around two-thirds of the 260 tents constructed for this purpose have been removed, indicative of a shift in the facility's mission.

When questioned about the removal of these tents, a US defense official asserted, "This force adjustment represents a deliberate and efficient use of resources - not a reduction in readiness." The camp's construction commenced shortly after Trump's announcement, with activities spanning from late January through early March.

Initial satellite images from April 1 revealed a significant presence of green and white tents, yet by April 10, many had been taken down, leading to the discovery that approximately 175 tents had been dismantled by mid-April. The current number of migrants still held at the site remains unclear.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller recently reaffirmed that the camp is operational, stating that "a large number of foreign terrorist aliens" are still housed there. Nonetheless, the White House did not respond to requests for clarification on whether the tent removals indicate a shift away from Trump's ambitious expansion plans.

Despite President Trump's objectives of detaining 30,000 individuals deemed as serious security threats, a defense official suggested that the base's resources are more aligned with supporting a population of 2,500 detainees. Trump had previously characterized the expansion as essential for holding migrants considered "dangerous criminals."

Since its establishment, approximately 400 migrants have reportedly been processed through Guantanamo, with over half having returned to the US or deported elsewhere. A group of Democratic senators who visited the camp expressed their concerns, labeling the operational costs and purposes of the facility as "wasteful" and an affront to taxpayers.

As scrutiny rises surrounding the expenses involved in transporting migrants to Guantanamo Bay, many are left questioning the facility's future and the implications of its operational downsizing.

Additional reporting by Joshua Cheetham.