Talks of Guantanamo Bay being transformed into a holding center for thousands of migrants exploded across headlines this week — but the White House is firmly pushing back.
Rumors swirled that former President Donald Trump was gearing up to send large groups of undocumented immigrants to the infamous Cuban military base.
Almost immediately, the story caught fire on social media, and reactions poured in.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt wasted no time setting the record straight.
White House Dismisses Claims as “Fake News”
Leavitt took to X (formerly Twitter) to shut down the rumors with a blunt response: “This story is Fake News. Not happening.”
Her comment aimed to halt the growing speculation that the Trump campaign was planning a major crackdown on illegal immigration, beginning with mass detentions at Guantanamo Bay.
What Prompted the Confusion?
Earlier this year, there was movement at the Guantanamo Bay facility.
In February, the Trump administration ordered military forces to the site to start expanding its capacity.
The base, long associated with terrorism suspects, saw new tents and temporary housing being set up by service members.
The U.S. Navy even confirmed that the USS St. Louis had docked there, assisting with the upgrades.
That move raised eyebrows.
So when Politico published a report this week claiming that 9,000 individuals — including Europeans, Brits, Russians, and Romanians — were being prepped for transfer as early as Wednesday, speculation took off.
Are Migrants Really Being Held at Guantanamo?
Technically, yes — but not in the way many think.
About 500 migrants have been temporarily housed at the facility in recent months while awaiting deportation.
These stays have been short-term and only serve as a layover before individuals are returned to their country of origin.
The new reports suggested that the Trump administration was looking to significantly increase those numbers — using the detention center as a deterrent.
But a State Department official told the Daily Mail there’s little to no credibility behind the latest wave of headlines.
Sending a Political Message or an Overblown Narrative?
Multiple media outlets cited anonymous sources claiming that the use of Guantanamo was a calculated political message.
The goal? To signal to the world that the U.S. would no longer tolerate illegal immigration and that future violators could expect far harsher treatment.
One source allegedly told Politico: “The message is to shock and horrify people, to upset people, but we’re allies.”
The quote referred specifically to the European migrants supposedly being targeted — particularly Russians and Romanians — sparking diplomatic concerns.
Plans to Expand: What’s Actually Happening?
Despite the denial of mass detentions, it’s true that the facility is being physically expanded.
Photographs from February showed military personnel pitching green tents and building new infrastructure to house more individuals.
The Navy confirmed the first phase would allow for 2,000 people, with long-term plans hinting at a massive capacity increase — possibly up to 30,000.
Tom Homan, a key figure in Trump’s immigration policy team, admitted that the migrant center at Guantanamo was being developed further.
He called it a simple extension of the current setup, not a radical new policy.
Legal Experts Weigh In on Detainee Rights
Naturally, the use of Guantanamo raises serious legal questions.
In the past, detainees at the facility — often terrorism suspects — faced controversial conditions.
But legal scholars, including Eugene Fidell of Yale Law School, point out that constitutional protections do apply.
“The government’s view used to be that Guantanamo was beyond the reach of the Constitution,” Fidell explained.
“But the Supreme Court ruled otherwise. Even there, detainees have rights to legal counsel and habeas corpus.”
A Political Statement from Trump’s Team?
Trump’s immigration stance has always been aggressive, and his allies are making no apologies.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem shared photos online of migrants arriving at the base, stating: “President Donald Trump has been very clear: Guantanamo Bay will hold the worst of the worst. That starts today.”
Whether this was more rhetoric than reality remains to be seen, but it’s clear the administration is leaning hard into tough messaging on illegal immigration as part of its broader platform.
So What Comes Next?
For now, the official position from the White House is that no large-scale transfer of migrants to Guantanamo Bay is happening.
However, with the facility expanding and Trump’s immigration team doubling down on strong enforcement, the conversation is far from over.
What’s real, what’s political posturing, and what’s still to come?
The spotlight remains on Guantanamo — and the world is watching.