By Rabia Iclal Turan
WASHINGTON - The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and 14 other advocacy groups on Friday called for immediate access to nearly two dozen migrants recently transferred from US immigration detention centers to the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
In a letter addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the advocacy groups raised concerns about detainees’ legal rights, living conditions, and access to due process.
"The Constitution, and federal and international law prohibit the government from using Guantanamo as a legal black hole," the letter stated.
The civil rights organization has urged the Trump administration to grant legal advocates access to the detainees, citing the necessity of legal counsel and public oversight of the conditions under which the individuals are being held.
"We also request basic information that the public has a right to know regarding the noncitizens being sent to Guantánamo and the government’s plans for them," they added.
The request follows the Trump administration’s decision this week to transport the migrants to Guantanamo Bay on US military aircraft, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from immigrant rights advocates.
The ACLU warned of potential human rights violations and called for transparency regarding the treatment of those in custody.