From Law & Crime · · 2m
Trump admin wants Guantanamo Bay ICE hearing closed to public
Trump administration seeks to hold secret hearing on Guantanamo Bay deportation facility with press and observers barred.
In brief
Trump administration seeks to hold secret hearing on Guantanamo Bay deportation facility with press and observers barred. Trump administration requested federal court to close Guantanamo Bay immigration hearing to public citing national security concerns. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
Guantanamo Bay hearing
U.S. Department of Justice requested federal court to bar public from upcoming hearing on Trump administration's disputed deportation facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Hearing scheduled for Oct 14
The hearing is scheduled for October 14, 2026, to address the Trump administration's expansion of the Migrant Operations Center at Guantanamo Bay.
DOJ motion for secrecy
DOJ motion requested hearing transcript filed under seal pending review for privilege and confidentiality due to sensitive information.
Government seeks State Department exemption
Government asked court to relieve State Department from obligation to produce witness for the hearing.
Judge Sooknanan's order
Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan directed government to provide agency representatives fully versed in administrative record for hearing.
State Department role
Government argued State Department played no role in immigration detention decisions at Migrant Operations Center in Cuba.
Plaintiffs' lawsuit
Immigrants filed class action lawsuit challenging detention at Guantanamo Bay, claiming lack of statutory authority and violation of Administrative Procedure Act.
Trump's directive
President Trump issued memorandum on Jan 29, 2025, directing agencies to expand Migrant Operations Center at Guantanamo Bay to full capacity.
First transfers
By Feb 4, 2025, first group of immigrants transferred to Guantanamo Bay from Fort Bliss, Texas military base.
Lawsuit claims
Plaintiffs argued Trump administration failed to articulate legitimate reason for holding immigrants at Guantanamo due to ample U.S. detention capacity.
Lawsuit allegations
Lawsuit claimed government's characterization of immigrants as 'worst of the worst' was legally irrelevant due to lack of statutory authority.
Judge's ruling
Judge Sooknanan rejected government's motion to dismiss in December 2025, calling Guantanamo detention program 'pretextual'.
ICE criticism
Judge criticized ICE for sending 'low-risk' immigrants with no criminal record to Guantanamo despite claims of holding 'worst of the worst'.
Hearing status
As of Thursday, judge had not ruled on government's request for hearing to be closed to public.
Next steps
Trump administration seeks federal court to close Guantanamo Bay hearing to public with press and observers barred.
The essence
Trump administration requested federal court to close Guantanamo Bay immigration hearing to public citing national security concerns.
