Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth gave Fox Information host Laura Ingraham an unique take a look at Guantánamo Bay, the place some unlawful migrants are being held as a part of the Trump administration’s unlawful immigration crackdown.
Starting the journey early out of Joint Base Andrews, Ingraham shared highlights of her travels to the 45-square-mile navy base in southeastern Cuba throughout “The Ingraham Angle” Wednesday.
The bottom is finest identified for detaining terrorism suspects, together with these behind the Sept. 11, 2001, assaults. President Donald Trump licensed the detention of sure unlawful immigrants on the facility shortly after taking workplace on Jan. 20.
DEFENSE SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH ARRIVES AT GUANTANAMO BAY, CALLS IT ‘FRONT LINES OF THE WAR’ ON SOUTHERN BORDER
In January, Trump mentioned he needed to increase immigrant detention facilities at Guantánamo to carry as many as 30,000 folks.
“We’re right here aboard the Division of Protection authorities airplane on the way in which to Naval Station Guantánamo Bay, the place everyone is aware of there are flights of unlawful immigrants arriving frequently. That’s the administration’s determination as a approach station earlier than they’re returned dwelling,” Ingraham mentioned.
Hegseth arrived at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, on Tuesday, his first journey to the naval set up since being confirmed to his publish in January.
Hegseth, who served as a U.S. Military lieutenant at Guantánamo from 2004–05 with the New Jersey Nationwide Guard, was anticipated to obtain briefings on all mission operations on the base, together with the detention facility the place unlawful migrants deported from america are housed earlier than being flown again to their native nations.
The Trump protection secretary addressed reviews circulating within the media about alleged mistreatment and inhumane circumstances at Gitmo. He mentioned the claims, like one article from The Washington Publish, had been “B.S.” and added, “this concept that individuals are being mistreated is absolute rubbish.”
Hegseth described the residing circumstances for migrants held in Gitmo as “austere” and “fundamental, nevertheless it’s each fundamental amenity that you may want is supplied.”
He added that detainees obtain completely different sorts of facilities and care, together with “medical checks, dental checks, well being care checks, welfare checks [and] leisure alternatives.”
“That is about quickly holding high-profile, high-threat people who, then, we ship dwelling.”
DEFENSE SECRETARY HEGSETH SAYS GUANTANAMO BAY IS ‘PERFECT PLACE’ TO HOLD MIGRANTS ‘SAFELY IN THE INTERIM’
Ingraham additionally pressed Hegseth on his message for the cartels, lots of which the Trump administration has designated as international terrorist organizations.
“We’re taking nothing off the desk. Nothing. We’ll do no matter it takes to safe the American homeland, to take care of our sovereignty and shield the American folks.”
The Military veteran additionally mentioned he didn’t “rule something out” when requested about potential strikes inside Mexico on fentanyl labs.
“Something’s on the desk. The commander-in-chief, finally, with my session, with the chairman and others, will make these determinations, however nothing is off the desk. Our sovereignty might be defended.”
Final week, almost 200 Venezuelan unlawful migrants arrested in america had been flown again from Guantánamo Bay after Venezuela expressed curiosity in accepting its residents, Fox Information Digital beforehand reported.
Earlier this month, two Venezuelan flights carried 190 unlawful immigrants from america to the South American nation.
The U.S. authorities has alleged that Venezuelan unlawful immigrants transferred to the naval base are members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang. Trump has turned the gang into the face of the alleged menace posed by immigrants residing within the nation illegally.
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Shortly after Ingraham arrived at Gitmo, she reported {that a} migrant flight from Fort Bliss landed, transporting 9 high-value detainees.
“It is an extremely skilled operation,” Hegseth mentioned, reflecting on his time at Guantánamo Bay throughout his navy service.
“The message is obvious: When you break the legislation, in case you are a prison, you could find your approach at Guantánamo Bay. You do not wish to be at Guantánamo Bay, which is the place we housed al Qaeda after 9/11. They’re professionals. They do their job. It isn’t simple. It isn’t a straightforward time. It is a maximum-security jail.”
Fox Information Digital’s Louis Casiano and Peter Pinedo contributed to this report.
