The US Naval base at Guantanamo Bay, infamous for its role in the “war on terror,” could soon take on a new purpose: detaining migrants. President Donald Trump’s recent announcement has reignited debates over the base’s legacy and its implications for human rights.

Trump’s plan involves transforming the facility, historically used to hold foreign terror suspects, into a detention center for up to 30,000 migrants. While the base already houses a separate migrant facility for intercepted Haitians and Cubans, this expansion aims to address the growing number of detentions at the US-Mexico border. It’s also seen as a move to project toughness on immigration, a central promise of his campaign.

But the idea has drawn sharp criticism. Critics argue that using Guantanamo Bay for migrant detention reinforces its association with lawlessness and abuse. Vince Warren of the Center for Constitutional Rights called the plan “horrifying,” pointing to its echoes of past human rights violations. The base’s history includes the detention of Haitian refugees in the 1990s and the infamous prison for terror suspects after 9/11.

Trump’s announcement came during the signing of the Laken Riley Act, a law requiring the detention of undocumented migrants charged with crimes. The president framed the Guantanamo initiative as a necessary step to protect Americans, describing it as a “tough place” for those deemed dangerous.

The plan raises logistical and legal questions. The facility reportedly lacks the capacity and staff to handle such a large influx of detainees. Additionally, there are concerns about due process for migrants held in a location outside US legal jurisdiction.

Human rights advocates worry that the move could deny migrants access to asylum processes and exacerbate poor living conditions at the base. Reports from previous years describe the facility as having undrinkable water, exposure to sewage, and inadequate medical care.

The proposal also has broader geopolitical implications. The Cuban government has long opposed the US presence at Guantanamo Bay, and this plan is likely to further strain relations. Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel called the announcement an act of “brutality.”

As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Guantanamo Bay, already a symbol of controversy, is set to enter a new and contentious chapter in its history.