First deportation flight arrives at Guantanamo Bay: ‘Swift action’ – KOMO News
by JACKSON WALKER | The National News DeskTOPICS:GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba (TNND) — Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Thursday announced the first deportation flight carrying illegal migrants from the U.S. has arrived at Guantanamo Bay.Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said last week the military prison was undergoing preparation to receive such individuals. Those comments followed President Donald Trump suggesting as many as 30,000 criminal migrants could be sent there.“Some of them are so bad we don’t even trust the countries to hold them because we don’t want them coming back, so we’re gonna send them out to Guantanamo,” Trump said. “This will double our capacity immediately, right? And tough. That’s a tough, that’s a tough place to get out of.”Taking to X, Hegseth shared video of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel receiving the plane. They then search several individuals in chains before escorting them to a van, the video shows.“The first flight of high-threat criminal illegals aliens has arrived at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba,” Hegseth wrote. “These criminals trampled over our previously wide open border to bring violence and mayhem to our communities.”Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, however, expressed outrage over the operation and accused the secretary of misusing taxpayer dollars.”The use of Guantanamo Bay is predicted to cost hundreds of millions of dollars,” Rep. Escobar wrote via X. “These measures are nothing more than unnecessary and cruel political theater and a gross misuse of federal funds and military personnel.”Also reacting was the City of El Paso, Texas, which served as a takeoff point for the departing flights from Fort Bliss.”The City of El Paso has no authority over immigration enforcement or deportation flights, as these matters fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government,” the city wrote in a statement. “However, our community remains deeply committed to supporting solutions that prioritize public safety, respect the dignity of all individuals, and encourage strong collaboration between local, state, and federal entities.”“As always, El Paso will continue to work with partners at every level to address the challenges and opportunities posed by migration in a way that reflects our values and commitment to our community,” it added.Follow Jackson Walker on X at @_jlwalker_ for the latest trending national news. Have a news tip? Send it to jacwalker@sbgtv.com.
