In a letter to Rep. Pete Hoekstra who had hoped to lead a delegation of local officials to Guantanamo, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that

"[...] at this stage it may be premature to have local officials visit until a final decision has been made. As you know, the President's task force is seriously reviewing a number of options, including Standish, for relocating detainees in an effort to close Guantanamo. When we have a clear idea of where the detainees will be relocated, we will be sure to engage state and local officials and their representatives in Congress."