Biden administration slammed over plan to use Guantanamo Bay to process possible Haitian migrant influx

WASHINGTON, DC: The Biden administration is considering the possibility of processing Haitian migrants in Guantanamo Bay in the event of a large-scale departure from the country devastated by gang violence, according to CNN. 

Notably, for many years, migrants have been detained and processed in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, which is around 200 miles away from Haiti, before being sent back to that nation or another.

Biden administration is considering sending Haitian migrants detained at sea to Guantanamo Bay for processing

The Guantanamo Bay facility, which isn't connected to the one used to hold terrorist suspects, has been utilized in the past, particularly when the US military prepared the location in 2010 in case Haitians decided to escape their earthquake-stricken nation.

However, talks to increase the site's capacity are the most recent indication that the administration is becoming increasingly concerned about the large number of people leaving Haiti as gangs target government buildings and social order is set to collapse.

Haitian migrants would probably try to get to Florida by the risky sea route. The US is considering sending those who are detained at sea to Guantanamo to be processed and returned to their home country.

A National Security Council spokesperson told CNN, "We are clear-eyed that economic, political, and security instability are key drivers for migrants around the world. We are closely monitoring the situation and the routes frequently used by migrants to reach our borders and at this time, irregular migration flows through the Caribbean remain low."

According to a spokesperson for Homeland Security, the rate of migration from the Caribbean is still modest as they stated, "DHS is monitoring the situation in Haiti and coordinating closely with the State Department and international partners. At this time, irregular migration flows through the Caribbean remain low." 

They further added, "Those interdicted at sea are subject to immediate repatriation pursuant to our longstanding policy and procedures. The United States returns or repatriates migrants interdicted at sea to The Bahamas, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti."

Present situation in Haiti amid emergency

Since militants attacked Port-au-Prince, Haiti's main prison, earlier in March, killing and wounding police and prison workers as well as allowing around 3,500 convicts to escape, the government has been under a state of emergency.

Notably, 80 percent of Haiti's capital is currently under the hands of gangs, according to UN assessments. Tens of thousands more people have had to leave their homes due to the instability, bringing the total number of people displaced by gang violence to above 300,000.

After non-essential staff were evacuated over the weekend, the US dispatched a Marine Fleet-Anti-terrorism Security Team (FAST) to Haiti to reinforce security at the US embassy in Port-au-Prince as the situation worsened.

Earlier this week, Ariel Henry, Haiti's prime minister, announced his resignation, clearing the way for a political shift in the country that the US and other countries had lobbied for.

Biden administration officials, however, are preparing for a huge migratory event amid Haiti's unpredictability at a time when federal resources are already few and important immigration agencies are cash-strapped.

Internet takes a jibe at the Biden Administration for their plan to use Guantanamo Bay for possible Haitian migrant influx

Netizens didn't seem to agree with the Biden administration's plans for handling a possible Haitian migrant influx. 

One wrote, "Don't worry, he'll just hold them there until you forget. Then he'll bring them to your small town," and another added, "Lord he’s such an embarrassment."

"Haiti is not our problem to solve," declared a person, while someone else mentioned, "Which will eventually lead to them coming to the mainland US."

An individual opined, "Chock full of bad ideas."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.