Deportation of Alleged Criminals to El Salvador’s Notorious Prison Sparks Controversy
Hundreds of migrants have been transferred to what is often described as the world’s most notorious prison, as U.S. President Donald Trump proceeds with mass deportations despite judicial opposition.
Approximately 250 individuals, accused of criminal activity, were expelled to El Salvador’s maximum-security Counter-Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) under a controversial directive. The decision, which bypassed conventional legal proceedings, was enacted through the Alien Enemies Act of 1798—an obscure wartime law last invoked during World War II to justify internment camps for Japanese, German, and Italian citizens.
President Trump, asserting that the U.S. is facing an “invasion” of individuals linked to organized crime, signed an executive order to expedite the deportation process shortly after taking office. His administration defended the legality of the action, despite efforts by a federal judge to block the operation while the deportation was already underway.
Bilateral Agreement with El Salvador
The transfer of the detainees was facilitated through an agreement between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, a leader known for his strict approach to gang violence. Bukele shared footage of the deported individuals arriving at the facility, claiming that among them were key members of the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua. He further stated that 23 members of the MS-13 gang—including high-ranking figures wanted by Salvadoran authorities—were among those extradited.
“The United States will pay a modest amount for their transfer, but the long-term cost falls on us,” Bukele wrote on social media. He emphasized that the addition of these detainees would contribute to the country’s efforts to dismantle organized crime networks while making the prison system self-sufficient. According to Bukele, the nation currently spends $200 million annually on incarceration, with efforts underway to offset these costs through labor programs within detention facilities.
Trump’s Justification and Response to Criticism
President Trump hailed the deportation as a necessary step to protect U.S. citizens, describing the individuals sent to El Salvador as “monsters” who had entered the country under the policies of the previous administration. In a post on Truth Social, he expressed gratitude to President Bukele and criticized the Democratic leadership, blaming them for what he called a “horrible situation.”
“These are dangerous criminals allowed into our country by Joe Biden and the Radical Left Democrats,” Trump stated. “We will not forget.”
Meanwhile, the deportation faced immediate legal challenges. A federal judge attempted to halt the order, but by the time the ruling was issued, the aircraft carrying the detainees had already departed U.S. airspace. The Trump administration defended its actions, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissing the judge’s intervention as an overreach.
“A single judge in one city cannot dictate the movement of a plane transporting foreign nationals who have been lawfully removed from U.S. soil,” Leavitt asserted.
Ongoing Debate Over Legal and Humanitarian Concerns
The deportation has ignited heated debate over its legality and ethical implications. Critics argue that expelling individuals without court proceedings violates due process and international human rights norms. Supporters, however, contend that such measures are necessary to combat gang-related violence and enhance national security.
As tensions rise over the administration’s immigration policies, the deportation of these alleged criminals to El Salvador underscores the broader challenges of international cooperation, judicial oversight, and the balance between security and human rights. Whether this strategy proves effective in curbing organized crime or exacerbates regional instability remains to be seen.
