President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an order for the US to prepare to hold tens of thousands of the “worst criminal illegal aliens” at Guantanamo Bay.
The notorious US naval base in Cuba is best known for its high-security prison that houses terrorism suspects, including men accused of planning the September 11, 2001, attacks, but it also has a centre that holds migrants.
"Most people don't even know, but we have 30,000 beds in Guantanamo to detain the worst criminal illegal aliens threatening the American people," Mr Trump said. "So we're going to send them down to Guantanamo."
Guantanamo's Migrant Operations Centre holds those detained at sea, many from Haiti and Cuba. Often they are caught in legal limbo, as Guantanamo operates outside of US federal law.
Mr Trump's border chief Tom Homan said the administration would expand the existing centre at Guantanamo and that the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency would run it. He said the centre would hold the "worst of the worst". It was not immediately clear if those people were already in federal prison.
In a memo, Mr Trump directed the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security to "take all appropriate actions to expand the Migrant Operations Centre at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to full capacity to provide additional detention space for high-priority criminal aliens unlawfully present in the United States".
Mr Trump's comments came as he signed a bill that reinforced his promise to make cracking down on illegal immigration the centre of his administration's goals.
Surrounded by dozens of guests, Mr Trump signed the Laken Riley Act, which allows authorities to detain and possibly deport undocumented immigrants who have been accused – but not convicted – of theft and violent crimes.
It was the first piece of legislation Mr Trump signed since he took office on January 20.
The law is named after a 22-year-old nursing student who was killed in Georgia while out on a run in February 2024. Antonio Ibarra, 26, an undocumented migrant from Venezuela, was found guilty of her murder in November and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
"She was always the best, she was respected by everybody, even her teachers – they respected her so much. From the time she was in first grade, Laken knew she wanted to spend her time caring for others," Mr Trump said.
The act also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government for harm caused by immigration policies, which could empower leaders of conservative states to set more anti-immigration rules.
Ibarra had entered the country in September 2022 and was cited for shoplifting, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement did not end up detaining him.
Mr Trump and other Republican leaders blame former president Joe Biden's lax immigration policies on the US-Mexico border for Ms Riley's death.
During his campaign, Mr Trump blamed the influx of migrants, mostly coming from Central and South America, for a rise in crime and lack of jobs. After taking office, he promised to launch "the largest deportation operation" in US history.
The Republican-controlled Congress passed the Laken Riley Act this month, with some support from Democratic politicians, despite criticism from immigrant rights advocates who say the policy will lead to the mass round-up of people accused of minor offences.
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
Four tips to secure IoT networks
Mohammed Abukhater, vice president at FireEye in the Middle East, said:
- Keep device software up-to-date. Most come with basic operating system, so users should ensure that they always have the latest version
- Besides a strong password, use two-step authentication. There should be a second log-in step like adding a code sent to your mobile number
- Usually smart devices come with many unnecessary features. Users should lock those features that are not required or used frequently
- Always create a different guest network for visitors
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
More on animal trafficking
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Graduated from the American University of Sharjah
She is the eldest of three brothers and two sisters
Has helped solve 15 cases of electric shocks
Enjoys travelling, reading and horse riding
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