https://apnews.com/video/at-signing-of-laken-riley-act-trump-says-he-plans-to-send-migrants-in-us-illegally-to-guantanamo-1f1bfc7a12234007b02b06ae1c20c9d4
The Laken Riley Act, a significant piece of legislation aimed at tightening immigration policies, was signed into law by President Donald Trump on Wednesday. The law grants federal authorities greater power to deport immigrants accused of crimes and introduces a controversial plan to detain the “worst criminal aliens” at Guantanamo Bay.
Understanding the Laken Riley Act
Named after 22-year-old Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was tragically killed in 2024 by an immigrant in the country illegally, the act swiftly passed through Congress with bipartisan support. During the signing ceremony, Trump expressed his commitment to securing the nation’s borders and ensuring justice for victims of violent crimes committed by non-citizens.
“She was a light of warmth and kindness,” Trump said, addressing Riley’s grieving family. “It’s a tremendous tribute to your daughter what’s taking place today, that’s all I can say. It’s so sad we have to be doing it.”
The act mandates the detention and deportation of immigrants in the U.S. illegally who are accused of certain crimes, including theft and assault on law enforcement. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over decisions related to immigration policy.
Trump’s Announcement on Guantanamo Bay Detention
While signing the legislation, Trump introduced another major policy shift—sending certain deportable immigrants to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, instead of returning them to their home countries.
“Some of them are so bad that we don’t even trust the countries to hold them because we don’t want them coming back,” Trump stated. “So, we’re going to send them out to Guantanamo.”
The president revealed that his administration is preparing 30,000 detention beds at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, historically used for detaining terrorism suspects.
Guantanamo Bay: A Controversial Holding Facility
Guantanamo Bay, often referred to as Gitmo, has been a site of international controversy due to allegations of human rights abuses and indefinite detention. Established as a naval base in 1903, it has primarily been used for detaining terrorism suspects post-9/11.
- Why Guantanamo? Trump administration officials argue that holding violent offenders at Gitmo prevents them from re-entering the U.S. if their home countries refuse to detain them.
- Historical Use: While primarily associated with terrorism suspects, the facility has also been used to detain migrants intercepted at sea, particularly from Haiti and Cuba.
- Legal Implications: The Supreme Court ruled in 2008 that detainees at Guantanamo can challenge their detention in federal courts, but whether this extends to immigrants deported there remains unclear.
Criticism and Concerns Over Trump’s Immigration Policies
Immigration advocates and legal experts have raised serious concerns about the legality and ethics of the new policy.
- Violation of Due Process? The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) argues that the law could lead to people being indefinitely detained for minor offenses, even without conviction.
- Human Rights Issues: Stacy Suh, program director of Detention Watch Network, called the decision to use Guantanamo “an act of brutality.”
- Cuba’s Response: Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel condemned the decision, stating that the U.S. is treating Guantanamo as an “offshore prison for political convenience.”
Legal and Political Ramifications
Many legal scholars question whether detaining immigrants at Guantanamo Bay violates the Impoundment Control Act or the U.S. Constitution’s due process protections.
“The Supreme Court’s previous ruling on enemy combatants at Gitmo doesn’t address whether non-military detainees, such as deportable immigrants, can be held indefinitely,” explained Hannah Flamm, a senior director at the International Refugee Assistance Project.
Defense and Homeland Security’s Plan
The administration is pushing forward despite legal uncertainties. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem expressed confidence in the feasibility of setting up a secure detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.
“We don’t want illegal criminals in the United States, not a minute longer than they have to be,” Hegseth stated in an interview with Fox News.
Future of Immigration Policy Under Trump
The Laken Riley Act marks a dramatic shift in how immigration crimes are handled under Trump’s second term. By expanding detention capacities and relocating violent offenders to Guantanamo Bay, the administration aims to reinforce strict immigration enforcement policies.
However, opponents argue that these measures do little to address the root causes of illegal immigration and could lead to unjust detentions. The political battle over immigration is set to intensify, especially as lawsuits challenging the act are already being prepared.
Conclusion
The signing of the Laken Riley Act and the controversial decision to use Guantanamo Bay for immigrant detention underscore Trump’s hardline stance on immigration enforcement. While supporters see these policies as necessary steps toward protecting American citizens, critics warn of potential legal, humanitarian, and diplomatic consequences.
As the U.S. prepares to implement these measures, the global community and domestic legal systems will be closely watching the unfolding implications of Trump’s immigration agenda.
Trump to send criminal immigrants in US illegally to Guantanamo Bay | AP News
