US Deportations Reach Guantanamo Bay

Marshallese and Micronesian Citizens Detained at Military Facility

The United States’ intensified immigration enforcement is now impacting Marshallese and Micronesian communities in unprecedented ways, with citizens facing removal to the notorious Guantanamo Bay detention center.

Unprecedented Detention at GTMO

In a stark new development, citizens from the Marshall Islands and Micronesia are being deported to the US Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This facility, historically used for suspected terrorists, now houses individuals with past criminal convictions, including those from the Compact of Free Association (COFA) nations.

Marshall Islands Ambassador to the US, Charles Paul, confirmed reports that at least one Marshallese national is currently held at Guantanamo Bay, referred to as “GTMO.” A separate report indicated that 72 detainees from 26 countries, including COFA citizens, were sent to GTMO recently.

The Department of Homeland Security, overseeing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stated that Secretary Kristi Noem is utilizing “every tool available to get criminal illegal aliens off our streets and out of our country.”

Criticism Mounts Over Treatment

Benson Gideon, a COFA advocate, strongly condemned the detention of COFA migrants at Guantanamo Bay. In a social media post, he declared, “This action raises urgent legal, constitutional, and ethical concerns that must be addressed without delay.”

“As a Compact of Free Association (COFA) advocate and ordinary indigenous citizen of the Marshallese Islands, I strongly condemn the detention of COFA migrants – including citizens from the Republic of the Marshall Islands – at the US Naval Base in Guantánamo Bay.”

—Benson Gideon, COFA Advocate

Ambassador Paul indicated he has been in contact with ICE to facilitate the repatriation of the detained Marshallese individual. “We are working closely with ICE to expedite this process,” he said, awaiting documentation for the felony and misdemeanor convictions.

Gideon argued that such detentions breach the Compact treaty obligations, which guarantee fair treatment. He highlighted the strong historical ties between the Marshall Islands and the US, including military service and hosting of US defense infrastructure.

“If we are good enough to host your missile ranges, fight in your military, and support your defense strategy, then we are good enough to be protected – not punished,” Gideon stated, urging the US Embassy in Majuro to address the perceived injustice.

Shifting Deportation Tactics

The US military’s recent use of aircraft for group deportations marks a change in enforcement strategy under the Trump administration. Previously, deportations of Marshallese citizens, numbering over 300 since the early 2000s, were typically managed by US Marshals on commercial flights.

Marshall Islands authorities have noted no deportations since the June 10 flight, suggesting a potential shift towards organized group removals. Additionally, reports indicate individuals traveling to Honolulu with passports listing Kiribati as their birthplace are now being denied entry, a new hurdle for some travelers who previously entered the US without issue.

US Ambassador to the Marshall Islands, Laura Stone, emphasized that visa-free travel rules have not changed. She advised all travelers to carefully review eligibility requirements for entry, noting that citizenship acquired through different means may have varying rules. Inquiries can be directed to ConsMajuro@state.gov.

According to the International Organization for Migration, as of 2023, approximately 27,000 Marshallese citizens reside in the United States, primarily in Hawaii and Arkansas (IOM, 2023).