Trump plans to detain 30,000 undocumented migrants at Guantanamo Bay

NEWS WIRES

29 January 2025 at 6:51 pm·1-min read

US President Donald Trump unveiled a plan Wednesday to detain thousands of undocumented migrants in Guantanamo Bay, shifting the focus from White House chaos after a federal funding freeze order was withdrawn. Trump said a new camp would hold up to 30,000 "criminal illegal aliens" at the Cuba facility, intensifying his crackdown on illegal immigration.

US President Donald Trump unveiled a surprise plan Wednesday to detain thousands of undocumented migrants in Guantanamo Bay -- distracting from spiraling confusion after the White House withdrew a shock order to freeze federal funds.

Trump said he had ordered construction of a detention camp to hold up to 30,000 of what he called "criminal illegal aliens" at the notorious military facility on the eastern tip of Cuba, used for holding terrorism suspects since the 9/11 attacks.

The plan intensifies the crackdown on illegal immigration that Trump has pledged in his second term, along with a parallel push to transform the US government itself in his right-wing image.

That broader goal hit a road bump when the White House sparked confusion by withdrawing a memo ordering a halt on trillions of dollars in federal funds -- only to insist minutes later that Trump's plan remained in "full force."

Newly sworn-in Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Fox News that migrants would not be kept where the remaining 9/11 detainees are and that a golf course could be used to build facilities.

NewsWire
Trump makes huge call on big Aussie deal
President Donald Trump has revealed where he stands on a major partnership with Australia after the Albanese government delivered a $798m payment.
BuzzFeed
Americans Are Slapping "Trump Did That" Stickers On Pricey Groceries, And It's Almost Too Funny
"Everything under Trump must be blamed on him, just like what MAGA did with Biden."
The Daily Beast
Intel Veteran Warns That Trump ‘Betrayal’ Would Be Catastrophic
Senior figures in the intelligence community are warning Donald Trump against repeating what they view as one of the worst mistakes in U.S. foreign policy as he contemplates how to handle Ukraine’s war against Russia. “It will be the most tangible abandonment from the Trump foreign policy,” a former senior U.S. intelligence official told the Daily Beast. Trump, who said he could end the conflict in 24 hours, has yet to unveil the details of his plan to stop the war, which has now raged for almos
HuffPost UK
A Former Prime Minister Has Condemned Donald's Trump's Decision To Axe US International Aid
"An earthquake of magnitude 7.0 or above could not have caused more carnage".
The Daily Beast
Trump Vows Not to Deport Harry in Wicked Jab at Wife Meghan
Prince Harry was in Vancouver on Saturday to open the Invictus games, and it seems he won’t have any trouble getting back across the border after Donald Trump vowed not to deport the prince. However the president didn’t miss the opportunity to take a wicked jab at Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle. When asked if he would force Harry to leave the U.S., Trump told the New York Post: “I don’t want to do that. I’ll leave him alone. He’s got enough problems with his wife. She’s terrible.” However, Trump di
The Independent
Trump signs order prioritizing US ‘resettlement’ of white South Africans over ‘discrimination’
Trump also shut down all South African aid, much of which is used to battle AIDS and HIV
The Independent
Pete Hegseth rips former Fox News colleague and calls out ‘fake news’ for her sharing of factual information
Hegseth has asked for more than $130,000 to repair a government-furnished home, $49,000 of which is for an ‘emergency’ paint job
CNN
Trump says he’s spoken with Putin as Russia’s war in Ukraine approaches third anniversary
President Donald Trump announced in an interview published Saturday that he has spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Daily Beast
Trump Enrages Christian MAGA By Naming ‘Heretic’ Pastor to White House
President Donald Trump angered some of his Christian supporters on Friday when he named a televangelist who even some conservative evangelicals have labeled a “heretic” as part of his White House administration. The president signed an executive order establishing a White House Faith Office and chose Pastor Paula White-Cain, his ally and spiritual advisor, to lead it. White-Cain, 58, is a megachurch preacher from Florida who has endorsed biblical interpretations that some evangelical Christians
The Daily Beast
How a Trans Lawmaker Fired Back After Being Misgendered by a Trump Ally on House Floor
A President Donald Trump loyalist misgendered Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.), who is a transgender woman, on the House floor. While presiding over the House on Thursday, Rep. Mary Miller (R-Ill.) introduced McBride as “the gentleman from Delaware, Mr. McBride.” Rather than take the bait, however, she opted to eviscerate the Trump administration from a policy standpoint.
The Daily Beast
Trump Reveals Melania’s Reaction to Musk’s ‘Straight Man’ Love Confession
Donald Trump suggested the First Lady was willing to share him after Elon Musk declared his “straight man” love for the president on Friday. While apparently taking a break from his bid to remake the federal government, the tech billionaire confessed on X, “I love @realDonaldTrump as much as a straight man can love another man.” The amorous outburst has been viewed more than 35 million times (and counting).
GOBankingRates
Trump Wants To Eliminate Income Taxes: 5 Ways This Could Impact Your Salary in 2025
During President Donald Trump's successful campaign bid last year, he proposed eliminating individual income taxes for all Americans and paying for the lost revenue by increasing import...
The Daily Beast
Arab Americans for Trump Leader Insists ‘We’re Not a Cult’
A leading figure in the Arab-American community who campaigned for Donald Trump scrambled to justify his continued support during an appearance on CNN after the president proposed relocating the population of the Gaza Strip earlier this week. Trump suggested during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday that the occupied Palestinian territory be transferred to U.S. control after the present conflict ends, and that the population be resettled elsewhere while
BBC
Trump administration to cut billions from overheads in biomedical research
Some labs have reportedly began shutting down and experts warn the funding is essential to deliver breakthroughs in research.
The Hill
Most say misusing campaign funds, dodging subpoenas worst behavior for a president: Poll
Americans consider using campaign money for personal legal issues and ignoring subpoenas the worst actions a president could take, a new survey found. The YouGov survey included 26 potential presidential actions and asked Americans if they were acceptable or unacceptable to them. Seventy-eight percent of Americans believe that using campaign funds for personal legal disputes…
The Daily Beast
Trump Voters Angry at ‘Chaos’: ‘Not What We Signed Up For’
The Wall Street Journal reports that the consumer confidence that accompanied President Donald Trump’s entry into office has eroded. The University of Michigan’s February report on consumer sentiment found that it fell by 5 percent, from 71.1 percent in January to 67.8 percent this month. Americans now expect inflation this year will be 4.3 percent, a 1 percent increase from last month. Morning Consult also found that consumer optimism is quickly fading. Consumers are worried about volatile deci
BBC
Trump suspends tariffs on small packages from China
The order ending duty-free shipment of packages from China worth less than $800 had caused chaos.
CNN
Trump has put America’s allies in an impossible position. That might be where he likes them
For two weeks, America’s friends held their tongues, before Donald Trump’s controversial comments on Gaza forced many Western nations to speak out. He has left them in a difficult spot, however.
The Independent
Inside the Trump administration hiring process where hundreds of applicants are rejected for lack of loyalty
Candidates asked about view on January 6 riots and NATO membership
CNN
Democratic congressman reveals the one thing that makes Trump “fold”
President Trump has taken steps to dismantle the USAID and has signaled the Department of Education could be next. Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna says the party is ready for the fight. But writer Touré tells Khanna it doesn’t look like the party is ready.

Latest stories