November 1, 2017, New York – In response to Trump telling a press conference that the assailant in yesterday’s attack in New York City should be sent to Guantanamo, the Center for Constitutional Rights, which has represented Guantanamo detainees for 15 years, issued the following statement:

Guantanamo Bay is and always has been a prison exclusively for Muslims, which is undoubtedly the only reason Donald Trump made the idiotic suggestion to send Sayfullo Saipov there. Fifteen years has proven no one will ever be successfully tried or “brought to justice” at Guantanamo, and the president and his supporters within his own party are deluded if they believe otherwise.

Trump’s hatred of immigrants and Muslims emboldens white supremacists and strengthens terrorist groups like ISIS. He cares little for the escalating violence inspired by his statements or the damage to institutions of democratic government he is intent on undermining.

The Center for Constitutional Rights has led the fight to close Guantanamo Bay and end torture there since the prison was established more than fifteen years ago. If Mr. Trump sends additional detainees there, we will represent them and fight for them as we continue to fight for the men held there today. 

The Center for Constitutional Rights has led the legal battle over Guantánamo for 15 years – representing clients in two Supreme Court cases and organizing and coordinating hundreds of pro bono lawyers across the country, ensuring that nearly all the men detained at Guantánamo have had the option of legal representation. Among other Guantánamo cases, the Center represents the families of men who died at Guantánamo, and men who have been released and are seeking justice in international courts.