Monique,

Obama decided to close Gitmo because

1. Many of the prisoners there should not have been there. These particular people were not terrorists and posed no threat to the U.S.. Some of those people were actually American citizens who are of Arab or Mexican descent. They were born and raised here, have spouses and children here, also worked and went to school here.

  a. Gitmo was said to have been so poorly ran, that they didn't have proper files on each prisoner, which made it impossible to know what was actually going on, thus, giving Gitmo a bad reputation. Maybe, they want to start over to do it right.

2. The prisoners who were actual terrorists were said to have been tortured. While you and I might say, "to hell with those terrorists", the American government, as well as other American organizations (ie-ACLU) stated it is against international law to do this and it sends out the wrong persona about America. I guess they want to show the world that America abide by all laws even if their counterparts don't. America doesn't want a bad reputation. LOL

   a. It was also said that this activity would in turn, promote other terrorists threats as it would give them a bad taste in their mouth about America for breaking international laws and getting away with it.

3. The actual terrorists will not be set free. Obama administration was, at one time, trying to find other countries who will take them. China wanted to take them, but, the U.S. said "NO"  I can only guess because China might use them for target practice and place them in front of a firing squad. You know, China being Communists and all.

   a. The only prisoners who will be set free are those who should not have been there and have no involvement in terrorist activities.

Bottom line...America (Obama) is trying to repair any damages made by the Bush administration where Gitmo is concerned.