Over the weekend, Soldiers and Marines were deployed to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to assist with “holding operations” in response to President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement measures and the intention to utilize the facility for the detention of migrants who have entered the United States unlawfully.

As of Monday, there were 310 service members stationed at Guantanamo Bay to support the detention efforts, according to a spokesperson from U.S. Southern Command. This contingent included 170 Marines from the 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, an infantry unit, who arrived at the base on Saturday via military transport to establish tents, cots, and other logistical arrangements for holding areas in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security. The spokesperson requested anonymity when providing this information.

Additionally, personnel from U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Army South joined the operation, although specific numbers from these groups were not disclosed. When inquired about the duration of the service members’ deployment at Guantanamo, the spokesperson indicated that “mass migration is unpredictable, and the level of U.S. military support will be assessed as circumstances develop.”

This troop mobilization marks the latest initiative by the Trump administration aimed at curbing immigration at the southern border and executing what has been characterized as the largest domestic migrant deportation operation in U.S. history.

Last week, Trump stated, “we have 30,000 beds in Guantanamo to detain the worst criminal aliens threatening the American people.” However, the White House and Pentagon have yet to clarify who will be held at Guantanamo or the legal rights they will possess. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem mentioned on Sunday that migrants would receive “due process,” but did not provide further details and did not exclude the possibility of detaining women and children.

Plans to enhance the Guantanamo Bay facility—previously reported to accommodate far fewer migrants than anticipated—remained ambiguous as of Monday. While the base has housed migrants under prior administrations, it is predominantly recognized for detaining terrorist suspects linked to the 9/11 attacks since 2002.

During a visit to the border, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Guantanamo Bay is an ideal location for accommodating both migrants and “hardened criminals.” He suggested the possibility of utilizing a maximum-security prison at the site, emphasizing its available space.

It was unclear whether Hegseth was alluding to the Migrant Operations Center mentioned in Trump’s executive order or the high-security detention facility, situated several miles away, which continues to hold suspected terrorists, including the alleged mastermind behind the 9/11 attacks.

The exact number of service members being deployed to the installation also remained uncertain. According to the Associated Press, the Pentagon is reportedly planning to send up to 500 Marines to Guantanamo Bay, based on information from unnamed defense officials.

A spokesperson for U.S. Southern Command indicated that the number of service members would vary as additional forces are assigned for deployment, and it would be adjusted according to the needs of the Department of Homeland Security, the primary federal agency involved.

The representative indicated that the tents and cots currently being assembled by military personnel at Guantanamo Bay are intended for migrants who will be held there.

In an interview with local media over the weekend, Marine 1st Sgt. Johnny Stone, who was deployed to Guantanamo Bay from Cherry Point, North Carolina, stated, “This is what we train for. We receive the call at a moment’s notice; as I mentioned, we were in the field preparing for situations like this, and it has come to fruition. We remain prepared, and here we are.”

When questioned about whether the Marines stationed at Guantanamo Bay would engage in law enforcement or migrant detention activities, the spokesperson clarified that the Department of Homeland Security “is the primary federal agency overseeing irregular migration operations at Naval Station Guantanamo.”

A defense official confirmed that the Marines would be involved in setting up cots and tents, but could not provide further details. This official was unable to specify the number of tents to be erected or their exact locations within the 45-square-mile facility.

On Monday, some officials, including those representing the Navy, were not in a position to comment on the Marines’ mission, despite it taking place on a base that the Navy owns and operates.