In a surprising move, the U.S. is set to start flying migrants from El Paso to the Guantánamo Bay Navy base, a departure from its usual deportation methods. Plans are in place for military planes to transport the first group on Tuesday, according to officials familiar with the matter.

This decision marks a big shift in how the U.S. handles deportations. While the government has long held migrants intercepted at sea at Guantánamo Bay, it hasn’t previously flown people from within the country to the base.

The White House has confirmed the plan, with the press secretary stating that flights are already underway. This move aligns with President Trump’s ongoing efforts to curb both legal and illegal immigration, a key focus of his administration. Last week, he instructed the Defense and Homeland Security departments to expand Guantánamo’s capacity for detaining migrants, calling it a “tough place to get out of.”

Around 300 service members have arrived at the base to prepare for the incoming migrants. A new tent city with 50 Army green tents has been set up near the existing Migrant Operations Center. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that the facility will support efforts to repatriate individuals to their home countries.

Recently, about 40,000 immigrants have been held in detention centers and jails across the U.S., as funding issues have limited available space. The government has previously used Guantánamo Bay to hold migrants caught at sea, primarily from Cuba and Haiti, but this new policy expands its use significantly.

This change underscores the administration’s stricter approach to immigration, with Guantánamo Bay now set to play a larger role in deportation efforts.