SEPTEMBER 25, 2025 – The first double bunk has been installed at Camp Six, a U.S. military facility currently being used as a detention center by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for illegal alien holding operations at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Sept. 19, 2025.
The new double bunking project is a continuation of the Department of War’s commitment to providing world-class support to DHS in obtaining complete operational control of the U.S. southern border.
Since the inception of Operation Southern Guard, Camp Six has operated with a single bed occupancy configuration with the capacity to house 169 high threat illegal aliens. The DHS classifies illegal aliens that are “high threat” as those with serious criminal convictions, known gang affiliations or ties to terrorist organizations.
“DHS follows strict guidelines to ensure the safety, security and compliance with detention standards,” said Jason Lynch, the DHS senior official for Operation Southern Guard. “Double bunking high threat classifications are done cautiously, and illegal aliens will be paired based on compatibility, behavioral assessments and risk factors.”
While individual holding cells will be phased out, safety for illegal aliens remains a top priority for the DHS and DoW supporting elements.
“The double bunking effort will have minimal impact on current operations,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Tommy Sieker, the commander of Task Force Guard. “We continue to refine internal procedures, ensuring that all Soldiers are trained on actions required in support of our DHS partners.”
Double bunking at Camp Six represents continued adherence to Immigration and Customs Enforcement standards already implemented at Joint Task Force Southern Guard holding operations, with those illegal aliens classified by DHS as “low threat,” some of whom are already housed in double-bunked rooms at the Migrant Operations Center.
“Double bunk cells are designed to provide sufficient space, ventilation, lighting and sanitation facilities while ensuring humane living conditions for two individuals to live without feeling overcrowded,” Lynch said. “Illegal aliens will still have access to adequate food, clean water, hygiene supplies, medical care and recreation opportunities.”
While JTF-SG operates in geographic proximity to Joint Task Force Guantanamo, their missions remain separate and distinct. JTF-GTMO is the military task force responsible for the detention and management of law of war detainees, whereas JTF-SG supports DHS illegal alien holding operations.
This effort is a continuation of the President’s direction to the Secretary of War and Secretary of Homeland Security to take all appropriate actions to expand operations at NSGB to provide additional holding facilities for high-threat illegal aliens unlawfully present in the United States.
Currently, illegal aliens held at NSGB are limited to those who have received a final order of removal from an immigration court, and who have a connection to transnational criminal organizations and international drug crime.
As Operation Southern Guard continues to evolve, DoW and DHS will continue to work to facilitate the final removal of illegal aliens held at NSGB and fully support U.S. immigration laws.
Story by Senior Airman Christopher Ornelas
Joint Task Force Southern Guard