ACLU Sues Trump Over Migrant Detentions at Guantanamo

ACLU Sues Trump Over Migrant Detentions at Guantanamo \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The ACLU sued the Trump administration to stop the transfer of 10 migrants to Guantanamo Bay, arguing that detaining noncitizens there violates constitutional rights and U.S. immigration law. Former detainees described inhumane conditions, including abuse, sleep deprivation, and lack of legal access. At least 50 migrants have already been sent to Guantanamo, with estimates suggesting the number may be closer to 200.

ACLU Sues Trump Administration Over Migrants at Guantanamo: Quick Look

• Civil rights attorneys sued the Trump administration Saturday to prevent the transfer of 10 migrants from U.S. detention to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
• The lawsuit, backed by the ACLU, argues that detaining noncitizens at Guantanamo violates U.S. constitutional rights and immigration law.
• Former detainees described Guantanamo as “a living hell,” citing abuse, harsh conditions, and lack of access to legal representation.
• Trump has proposed using the facility to hold up to 30,000 migrants, calling them “criminal aliens” but not specifying their alleged crimes.
• At least 50 migrants have already been sent to Guantanamo, with civil rights groups estimating the number could now be closer to 200.
• The lawsuit highlights concerns over indefinite detention, lack of due process, and human rights violations for asylum seekers and migrants.

Deep Look

Trump Administration Faces Lawsuit Over Migrant Transfers to Guantanamo

The Trump administration is facing legal challenges over its decision to detain migrants at Guantanamo Bay, with civil rights attorneys filing a federal lawsuit in Washington to stop the transfer of 10 more detainees to the facility.

The case, supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), argues that transferring migrants to Guantanamo violates their constitutional rights, including due process protections under the Fifth Amendment.

This lawsuit follows a previous legal challenge filed in February, in which attorneys demanded access to migrants already being detained at the U.S. naval base in Cuba.

“Guantanamo is a living hell,” said former detainee Jonathan Alejandro Alviares Armas.

Migrants Describe Harsh Conditions at Guantanamo

Attorneys also submitted statements from detainees who had been held at Guantanamo, painting a grim picture of their experiences.

• Prisoners were kept in small, windowless cells with lights on 24/7, making sleep nearly impossible.
• They reported inadequate food and medical care, with some resorting to hunger strikes.
• Verbal and physical abuse by staff was described, along with denial of water and punishments such as being tied to a chair for hours.
• Suicide attempts were common, with multiple detainees claiming they had either attempted to harm themselves or witnessed others doing so.

“It was easy to lose the will to live,” said Raul David Garcia, a former detainee who was later sent back to Venezuela.

Who Are the Migrants Being Sent to Guantanamo?

The 10 men named in the latest lawsuit arrived in the U.S. between 2023 and 2024 and include:

• Seven from Venezuela
• One from Afghanistan
• One from Bangladesh
• One from Pakistan

Among them, several are asylum seekers fleeing political persecution:

• The Afghan and Pakistani migrants escaped Taliban threats.
• Two Venezuelans say they were tortured by their government for their political beliefs.
• Walter Estiver Salazar, a Venezuelan asylum seeker, described being kidnapped, suffocated, and shot before escaping to the U.S.

“The officials beat me, suffocated me, and eventually shot me,” Salazar said. “I barely survived.”

Some detainees have minor criminal records, including:

• A Venezuelan convicted of driving under the influence, who expressed regret.
• Another migrant previously charged in a domestic dispute, but the charges were later dropped.
• Four Venezuelans accused of gang affiliation due to their tattoos, including one man who said his tattoo was a Catholic rosary.

Attorneys argue that many migrants detained at Guantanamo have no criminal records or serious offenses, challenging Trump’s claim that they are “high-risk criminal aliens.”

Trump’s Plan to Use Guantanamo for Immigration Detention

President Donald Trump has vowed mass deportations and proposed using Guantanamo Bay to hold up to 30,000 migrants, calling the facility an ideal place to detain “the worst” offenders.

However, the administration has not disclosed details on who is being transferred, leading to concerns about arbitrary detention and lack of due process.

“These transfers violate U.S. immigration law and constitutional protections,” the lawsuit states.

At least 50 migrants have already been sent to Guantanamo, and the ACLU believes the number is now closer to 200.

This marks the first time in U.S. history that migrants are being detained at Guantanamo on civil immigration charges.

Guantanamo’s History of Controversial Detention

Guantanamo Bay has long been associated with harsh treatment of detainees, particularly after the September 11, 2001, attacks.

• The military detention center at Guantanamo once held 800 prisoners, most suspected of terrorism ties.
• Today, only 15 detainees remain, including 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
• A 2023 United Nations report found that detainees faced ongoing cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.

“Camp 6, where I was held, was freezing and felt like an unfinished prison,” said former detainee Raul Garcia.

Key Legal Arguments in the Lawsuit

The lawsuit argues that transferring migrants to Guantanamo is illegal and unconstitutional for several reasons:

1. Violation of Due Process: The U.S. Constitution guarantees legal protections, even for noncitizens, which the lawsuit claims are being ignored.
2. Illegal Detention Outside U.S. Jurisdiction: Attorneys argue that Guantanamo is legally part of Cuba, meaning the U.S. government has no right to hold migrants there.
3. Unlawful Transfers Under Immigration Law: Federal law bars the transfer of non-Cuban migrants to Guantanamo Bay, making these detentions legally questionable.

The lawsuit also highlights concerns over lack of legal representation, with migrants struggling to contact attorneys or family members while detained.

“Guantanamo Bay does not have the infrastructure to hold migrants,” the lawsuit states.

What’s Next?

• The Biden administration or future courts could intervene to stop or limit the practice of detaining migrants at Guantanamo.
• If the lawsuit succeeds, it could block further transfers and lead to the release of those already detained.
• Human rights organizations will continue monitoring conditions and pushing for greater transparency regarding Trump’s immigration policies.

Final Thoughts: A Legal and Humanitarian Battle Over Migrant Detention

The Trump administration’s use of Guantanamo Bay for immigration detention has sparked major legal and ethical concerns, with civil rights groups arguing it violates U.S. laws and international human rights standards.

With the number of detainees rising and reports of inhumane treatment emerging, this high-stakes lawsuit could shape the future of U.S. immigration policy—and the government’s ability to detain migrants beyond U.S. borders.

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