**Guantánamo Bay Set to Become Detention Center for Undocumented Immigrants, Including Ukrainians**
The US government is preparing to transfer thousands of undocumented foreign nationals, including Ukrainian citizens, to the infamous Guantánamo Bay detention facility in Cuba. According to a report by The Washington Post on June 10, this move is part of a broader plan to free up capacity at overcrowded domestic facilities.
**A History of Controversy**
Guantánamo Bay was established in 2002 as a prison for suspected terrorists during the War on Terror. Its operations were shrouded in controversy due to reports of torture, abuse, and its position outside of normal legal frameworks. This move is likely to spark outrage from human rights groups and critics who have long opposed the facility’s use.
**Countries Affected**
The detainees reportedly include individuals from countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Ukraine. The US government has not informed these countries about the transfer plans, according to The Washington Post. Internal documents suggest that medical screenings for 9,000 individuals are underway to assess their physical fitness for transfer.
**US Immigration Policy**
The Trump administration’s plan is part of its broader pledge to ramp up deportations and arrests. President Donald Trump aims to achieve at least 3,000 arrests daily, according to White House officials. This move has significant implications for the US immigration system, which has been a subject of controversy under the current administration.
**Ukrainian Community Affected**
The plan to transfer Ukrainians to Guantánamo Bay is particularly concerning for the Ukrainian community in the US. The Trump administration had previously planned to revoke the temporary legal status of 240,000 Ukrainian refugees who fled Russia’s invasion, according to Reuters. This move could potentially expose them to deportation.
**Reactions from Governments**
The governments of the targeted countries have yet to comment on this development. Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry has not made any statement regarding the transfer plans. The US government declined to comment for The Washington Post, citing the need to maintain operational secrecy.
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