U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen said his fact-finding visit to Guantanamo Bay earlier this week has not changed his mind about closing the U.S. detention facilities there.

“I remain committed to closing the detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay and bringing terrorists detained there to justice,” said Larsen, a 2nd District Democrat, after his return on Monday.

“The detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base have become a lightning rod and a symbol, rightly or wrongly, of our errors in the fight against terrorists,” he said. “As long as they remain open, these detention facilities will undermine our strategic efforts to win hearts and minds among moderate Muslims around the world.”

Larsen’s trip to Cuba this week was made in secret. His office said that due to House Armed Services Committee security protocol, the Congressman was unable to notify the public in advance of his trip.

Larsen visited Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and toured the detention facilities where suspected terrorists are held.

“In my opinion, these facilities are well-maintained and staffed by highly professional service men and women. These facilities are also visited regularly by international humanitarian organizations,” he said. “I thank our service men and women stationed at Guantanamo Bay for their service to our country.”

Larsen also said he supports changes to the Military Commissions Act, portions of which the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled unconstitutional. He opposed the law when it was passed in 2006.

The House and Senate Armed Services Committee are currently considering changes to the law, passed by Congress after the High Court ruled that the executive branch did not have the authority to establish military commissions without congressional approval.

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am committed to reforming the Military Commissions Act so the president has a viable option to prosecute, under the laws of war, terrorist detainees and thereby deliver justice for the American people,” Larsen said.