White House Defends Migrant Treatment at Guantanamo Bay: “A Promise the President Campaigned On”

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Alex Bollinger
February 26, 2025
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9 minutes read

Karoline Leavitt/Instagram

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Tuesday refused to deny reports that migrants held at Guantanamo Bay were mistreated, stating that the policy aligned with a “promise that the president campaigned on.” The remarks came during a tense White House press briefing, where a reporter referenced a Washington Post investigation detailing alleged inhumane conditions faced by detained migrants.

“They told the Post they were rarely let outside, they were shackled and placed in what they described as cages and alleged that they were not treated as human beings,” the reporter pressed. “Does the White House have any response to those conditions?” “It’s a promise the President campaigned on,” Leavitt responded.

“That if you invade our nation’s borders, if you break our country’s laws, and if then you further commit heinous, brutal crimes in the interior of our country, like raping and murdering innocent, law-abiding women and girls, and committing heinous acts of violence, then you are going to be deported from this country, and you may be held at Guantanamo Bay.”

She doubled down on the administration’s stance, adding, “These are criminals we are talking about. Don’t forget that.” However, critics were quick to note that many of the detained migrants had not been convicted of any crimes in court.

Karoline Leavitt — (The White House/Youtube)

The use of Guantanamo Bay for migrant detention has sparked widespread debate, with human rights organizations condemning the policy. Advocacy groups argue that detaining migrants—many of whom seek asylum—under such harsh conditions violates both U.S. and international law.

Adding to the controversy, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has refused to rule out sending migrants to Guantanamo Bay even if they are accused of low-level offenses such as shoplifting. This has fueled concerns that the administration’s crackdown on undocumented migrants is extending beyond violent criminals.

The White House has yet to clarify the full extent of its Guantanamo policy or whether allegations of mistreatment will be investigated. Meanwhile, opposition voices continue to challenge the administration’s stance, arguing that detention without trial undermines fundamental principles of justice.

As the debate intensifies, the future of migrants held at Guantanamo remains uncertain, with lawmakers and activists demanding greater transparency from the Biden administration.