Trump Admin May Retreat From Guantanamo Bay Idea Because of Growing Costs: Report

The Trump administration's plan to use the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to detain up to 30,000 undocumented immigrants has faced significant legal, logistical, and financial obstacles, and is now raising serious doubts inside Government about its viability.

According to a special report by NBC News, officials within the administration increasingly recognize that the proposal is proving impractical with costs being the primary reason cited. Transporting detainees to Guantanamo requires expensive flights, with the administration often opting for military aircraft over the charter planes typically used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The report, which is based on interviews with nine people familiar with the situation, explains that military C-130 flight costs approximately $207,000 to $249,000 for a round trip, averaging $23,000 to $27,000 per detainee. While ICE charter flights are generally cheaper, they still entail significant logistical and financial burdens, including security personnel, medical staff, and aviation handling fees.

Beyond transportation costs, sources pointed out to NBC News that Guantanamo's infrastructure is not equipped to hold such large numbers. Tents erected for detainees lack air conditioning and running water and do not meet ICE detention standards. The facility previously held 178 Venezuelan men at its peak under the Trump administration, but by February 20, all had been removed, with most deported. As of Monday, only 20 detainees remained at the base.

The report also explains that confusion and power struggles between government agencies have exacerbated difficulties, with the military and ICE, which is responsible for detaining immigrants, have clashed over operational control. ICE, already facing a budget shortfall, has struggled to meet increased demands. The Pentagon deployed over 1,100 troops to Guantanamo to assist, but delays in guidance and resource allocation have hindered operations.

Additionally, legal challenges have emerged. On Saturday, civil rights attorneys, led by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), filed a lawsuit against the administration to prevent the transfer of ten individuals from the U.S. to Guantanamo, calling it "a living hell." The ACLU argues that such transfers violate federal law and constitutional due process protections under the Fifth Amendment.

The lawsuit followed another legal challenge from early February which alleged that detainees were being held without access to legal counsel or communication.

The administration has defended its use of Guantanamo so far by citing national security concerns and framing the expansion of operations as part of a broader effort to "dismantle criminal cartels."