President Trump’s decision to expand Guantanamo Bay’s capacity to detain up to 30,000 criminal illegal aliens marks a pivotal shift in U.S. national security strategy. While some critics argue that this move is too aggressive, the harsh reality is that transnational criminal organizations are exploiting America’s immigration system to establish strongholds in major cities. Without decisive intervention, these networks will only grow stronger, embedding themselves deeper within our communities.
But detention alone is not enough. A lasting solution requires more than reactive measures — it demands a proactive approach powered by artificial intelligence (AI). AI-driven intelligence can do more than just identify and capture criminals; it can uncover and dismantle the entire syndicates operating behind them.
The Growing Threat of Transnational Crime
This issue is unfolding in real time. Since 2022, Denver has received over 40,000 migrants, providing a cover for Venezuelan criminal syndicates like Tren de Aragua to establish operations. In a recent operation, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 25 of the gang’s members. Tren de Aragua is infamous for drug trafficking, human smuggling, and violent crimes, including extortion and even coordinated attacks on law enforcement in places like Aurora, Colorado.
While these arrests mark an important step, they address only a fraction of the problem. Criminal networks are vast and adaptable, making traditional law enforcement methods insufficient. AI has the power to change this dynamic by mapping criminal affiliations, tracing illicit financial transactions, and identifying hidden threats that conventional intelligence might miss.
AI: A Game Changer in Catching Criminals
Many Tren de Aragua members had criminal histories in Venezuela, but U.S. systems failed to detect them upon entry. AI-driven screening could have flagged these individuals before they set foot on American soil, enabling preemptive action. AI doesn’t just identify criminals — it exposes entire networks. Many detained individuals are not lone offenders but key players in larger organizations engaged in smuggling, trafficking, and organized violence. AI can track the financiers, logistics coordinators, and enablers who operate behind the scenes, ensuring law enforcement targets entire criminal ecosystems rather than isolated actors.
We have the technology. We have the data. Now, we must act.
One of AI’s most powerful advantages is its ability to facilitate real-time intelligence sharing between federal, state, and international agencies. Criminal organizations exploit jurisdictional gaps to evade detection and move freely across borders. AI provides a standardized threat analysis system that enables seamless cross-border intelligence sharing. Had AI been used to track Tren de Aragua’s movements across Latin America, authorities could have anticipated their expansion into U.S. cities and acted before the syndicate took root.
Precision Over Overreach
Critics often express concerns about AI leading to overreach or privacy violations. In reality, AI enhances precision in law enforcement. Unlike indiscriminate crackdowns, AI analyzes behavioral patterns and verifiable data, ensuring enforcement is targeted at actual threats rather than driven by political or racial biases. This approach strengthens both the effectiveness and fairness of law enforcement operations.
A Smarter, More Secure Future
Trump’s expansion of detention at Guantanamo Bay is a necessary step in addressing a long-ignored crisis. However, without integrating AI-driven intelligence, it risks becoming just another reactive measure. The real solution lies in a proactive approach: identifying, tracking, and neutralizing threats before they reach American communities.
We have the technology. We have the data. Now, we must act. AI-driven enforcement is not a distant future — it’s a tool available today to secure our borders, protect our citizens, and dismantle criminal networks before they take hold. The choice is clear: rely on outdated strategies or embrace cutting-edge AI capabilities to confront these threats head-on.
The safety of our communities depends on making the right choice — and making it now.
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Kevin Cohen is the CEO and Founder of RealEye.ai, a leader in homeland security innovation.