Recently, civil rights lawyers filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking to stop the transfer of ten migrants from the U.S. to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. This legal action highlights serious concerns about the treatment of detainees at the naval base, with former detainees describing their experiences as “a living hell.”
This lawsuit follows another filed just weeks earlier, which aimed to gain access to migrants already detained at Guantanamo Bay. Both lawsuits are supported by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and were submitted in Washington.
The attorneys included testimonies from several men who had been held at Guantanamo Bay. Many spoke about harsh conditions, such as small, windowless cells with constant lighting that made it impossible to sleep. They also described inadequate food and medical care. One individual even attempted to end his life while detained. Verbal and physical abuse from staff was another troubling theme in these accounts.
“It was easy to lose the will to live,” said Raul David Garcia, a former detainee. He recounted his previous kidnapping experience in Mexico, noting that at least his captors there identified themselves.
Another former detainee, Jonathan Alejandro Alviares Armas, shared that fellow detainees were sometimes punished by being denied water or tied to chairs outside their cells for extended periods. “Guantanamo is a living hell,” he remarked.
A related case in New Mexico recently saw a federal judge block the transfer of three Venezuelan immigrants to Guantanamo, highlighting ongoing legal pushback against these transfers.
The Trump administration has claimed that Guantanamo Bay can hold thousands of immigrants, branding them as “the worst.” Yet, specific information about the individuals being transferred remains sparse, raising concerns about their legal status and the rationale behind their detention. Reports suggest that around 200 migrants may currently be detained at Guantanamo, marking a significant shift in its use; historically, the base was mainly for those linked to terrorism.
These ten men involved in the latest lawsuit hail from various countries, including Venezuela, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. They fled their home countries due to threats, violence, or persecution. Walter Estiver Salazar, one of the Venezuelans, recounted a traumatic experience involving government officials who tortured him when he refused an order. Despite facing legal issues in the U.S., many of these men have little or no serious criminal records, and some were wrongfully labeled based on superficial attributes like tattoos.
The attorneys argue that sending these migrants to Guantanamo violates their constitutional right to due legal process, as guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment. They contend that current immigration laws do not permit such transfers for non-Cuban migrants and emphasize that the U.S. lacks authority over individuals detained outside its territory.
In previous lawsuits, concerns were raised about detainees being cut off from communication with attorneys and family. Current detainees have reported difficulties reaching out for help, with some not having contact with the outside world for weeks. The environment in Guantanamo Bay is criticized for its lack of proper facilities and support, raising further questions about the welfare of those detained.
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Source linkDonald Trump, Venezuela, Cuba, Lawsuits, Raul David Garcia, Jonathan Alejandro Alviares Armas, Immigration, Legal proceedings, General news, American Civil Liberties Union, Human rights, Washington news, Afghanistan government, United States government, Government and politics, Civil rights, U.S. news, Cuba government, Venezuela government, Pakistan government, Walter Estiver Salazar, Washington News, Politics
