Pentagon Spends $21M on Guantanamo Migrant Flights

A Pentagon report to Congress revealed that the Trump administration spent at least $21 million on 46 military flights transporting migrants to Guantanamo Bay between January 20 and April 8, with each flight costing over $26,000 per hour. Despite an initial pledge to detain 30,000 migrants, the facility currently holds only 32 and never exceeded 200 at any time, with many migrants returned to the U.S. after arrival. The operation, named Operation Southern Guard and led by the Department of Homeland Security with military support, drew criticism from lawmakers and human rights groups who labeled it a costly political stunt. Senator Elizabeth Warren was among those who denounced the use of military resources for what she described as an ineffective policy. Mounting criticism and high costs led to the suspension of military deportation flights in March, with the DHS switching to commercial flights. Administration officials are now reconsidering the overall approach due to the legal, logistical, and financial challenges exposed by the effort.