From Mother Jones · Amanda Moore · · 2m
Somali immigrants detained at Guantanamo Bay
ICE is holding Somali men at the notorious military base, where they say they're shackled and subjected to freezing conditions.
In brief
ICE is holding Somali men at the notorious military base, where they say they're shackled and subjected to freezing conditions. The Trump administration is using Guantanamo Bay to detain Somali immigrants, marking a dramatic escalation in targeting this community. Originally reported by Mother Jones.
Tricked onto a deportation flight
Twelve Somali men were told they were being deported to Somalia. Instead, ICE flew them to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba.
“Nobody tell us that we're going to Guantanamo Bay. Just like kidnapping.”
Shackled in freezing conditions
Seven or eight men remain detained at the base. They say they're shackled at all times and subjected to frigid temperatures.
“The worst place ever I've been in my life.”
Trump's campaign against Somalis
Trump said Somalis "contribute nothing" and deployed 2,000 armed agents to Minnesota, home to the largest Somali population in the US.
“I don't want them in our country.”
A symbol of injustice
Guantanamo became notorious for detaining alleged terrorists after 9/11, plagued by reports of torture and mistreatment.
Expanding the detention center
Trump ordered the Migrant Operations Center expanded to hold up to 30,000 "worst of the worst" immigrants, though far fewer are actually detained.
Accused of serious crimes
DHS claims the detainees have criminal histories including assault and weapons offenses. But they won't say which men were accused of what.
No criminal records found
At least some detainees say they have no criminal record. One man had only parking tickets, and several were applying for asylum with work authorization.
“I don't have no criminal record. I don't have no tickets.”
Arrested while working legally
Sakariye Mohamed was driving a commercial truck with valid work authorization when he was pulled over and detained by ICE for nearly a year.
“He believed ICE was looking for criminals.”
Cameras in showers and bathrooms
Detainees report cameras in showers and bathrooms, and extremely cold conditions. DHS denies the allegations and says detainees have privacy.
Only Somalis at Guantanamo
Guards told detainees that Washington ordered them to keep Somali people at Guantanamo. No other nationalities are currently held there.
Hunger strike for freedom
After officials broke promises to release them, detainees plan another hunger strike. They say they'll die, return to Somalia, or go back to the States.
“We die, or we go back to our country, or we go back to the States.”
The headline
The Trump administration is using Guantanamo Bay to detain Somali immigrants, marking a dramatic escalation in targeting this community.
