The U.S. Department of Defense has expended over $21 million on 46 military flights transporting migrants to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base between January 20 and April 8, 2025. This initiative is part of the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement strategy. Data provided to Congress indicates that these flights totaled 802.5 hours, averaging $26,277 per flight hour.
President Donald Trump announced plans to detain up to 30,000 migrants at Guantanamo Bay, a facility traditionally used for detaining terrorism suspects. However, as of May 2025, only 32 migrants are being held there, with the total number never exceeding 200 at any given time.
The operation, known as “Operation Southern Guard,” has faced criticism for its high costs and logistical challenges. Senator Elizabeth Warren condemned the use of military resources for this purpose, stating that it constitutes a wasteful political maneuver.
In response to the mounting criticism and high operational costs, the Trump administration suspended the use of military aircraft for deporting migrants to Guantanamo Bay on March 1. Subsequently, the Department of Homeland Security shifted to more cost-effective deportation methods using commercial flights.
