‘Not happening’: White House forced to deny Trump’s massive Guantanamo migrant transfer plan after backlash

The Trump administration appears to have halted its plans to significantly increase the transfer of undocumented migrants to Guantanamo Bay, following considerable pushback and concerns from various quarters. The proposed plan, which involved vetting approximately 9,000 migrants for transfer to the base, would have marked a substantial increase from the current numbers.

According to Politico, the transfers, initially scheduled for later this week, were delayed partly due to unrest related to immigration crackdowns in Los Angeles, according to an administration official speaking on condition of anonymity. The timeline for potentially implementing the plan remains unclear.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt took X to address the reports, stating “Not happening,” while DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin further emphasized that “It was never a plan to begin with.” These denials came after Politico reported on the extensive vetting process for thousands of migrants.

European officials express concern over potential transfers

The proposal has particularly alarmed U.S. diplomats regarding the planned transfer of approximately 800 Europeans, raising concerns about straining relationships with European allies who typically cooperate in accepting deportees. Italian officials, in particular, have expressed strong opposition, with their foreign minister stating they are doing “everything” possible to prevent their citizens from being sent to Guantanamo.

The original plan was primarily designed to address bed space shortages in domestic detention facilities, as the White House pushes for increased arrest and deportation numbers through Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The administration has been seeking additional funding from Congress to expand domestic detention capacity and hire more agents.

According to documents obtained by Politico, the plan was recently developed and remained subject to change. The intention was to temporarily hold detainees at Guantanamo Bay before deporting them to their countries of origin, though specific detention durations were not specified.

The U.S. facility at Guantanamo Bay, located on Cuban soil but operated as a U.S. naval base, has faced recent legal challenges from immigrant rights groups. A federal class-action lawsuit currently pending in Washington reveals that approximately 70 immigrant detainees are being held there under what are described as “punitive” conditions, including insufficient food, limited clothing changes, and rodent infestations.

The administration’s apparent retreat from the plan represents a significant shift from President Trump’s January announcement, which outlined intentions to use the facility for holding up to 30,000 migrants found to be in the U.S. illegally. The current situation has left State Department officials awaiting clarification on the transfer process, with previous guidance on media responses now suspended.