WASHINGTON — The Pentagon is preparing to send two flights carrying migrants to Guantanamo Bay this weekend, marking the first phase of President Donald Trump's plan to use the base for detaining individuals caught in his immigration crackdown, according to a report by Politico on Saturday, citing US officials.

While final details are still being worked out, two defense officials said the flights to the Cuban base could be joined by another flight heading to Peru as the military pushes forward with Trump’s directive to deport thousands of undocumented individuals.

So far, the military has conducted eight deportation flights, including four to Guatemala, three to Honduras, and one to Ecuador, using military aircraft.

The planned flights this weekend would be the first time migrants are sent to Guantanamo Bay, a move that presents unique legal and logistical challenges.

Trump issued the order on Wednesday, directing the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security to begin using Guantanamo Bay for migrant detention.

Defense officials are now developing plans to accommodate up to 30,000 people, a significant expansion compared to the 780 detainees once held at the base’s detention camp during the height of the war on terror.

The initiative adds another costly and complex task for the military, which is also working to meet Trump’s separate order to deploy additional troops to the US-Mexico border as part of his immigration enforcement efforts.

Officials, who were granted anonymity to discuss the situation, said the military is still evaluating how to manage the significant logistical and humanitarian aspects of detaining such a large number of people at the base. — Agencies