A federal judge has rejected the Trump administration’s request to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the detention of migrants at the US Navy base in Guantanamo Bay. US District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan denied the motion on Friday and scheduled a hearing for next week.

 

 

The Trump administration began using Guantanamo in January to detain what it called the worst criminal aliens. Between February and June, around 500 migrants with final removal orders were held at Guantanamo Bay. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which brought the lawsuit, argues the practice is unlawful and intended for political theatrics. The Department of Homeland Security has maintained that it has broad authority to detain such migrants at the facility.

 

 

Guantanamo, or Gitmo, is widely known for housing terrorism suspects after the September 11 attacks.