Trump Plan Results In U.S. Citizens With Salvadoran Ties Being Deported

Hand holding sign with Deportation Order text.

The Trump administration faces legal scrutiny after a Maryland man was deported to El Salvador’s controversial mega-prison despite having legal protection, while President Trump openly supports sending American criminals to the facility.

Key Takeaways

President Trump supports sending American criminals to El Salvador’s CECOT prison, where the U.S. agreed to pay $6 million for one year of deportation services.
The administration admitted to an “administrative error” in deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who had legal protection from deportation and no U.S. criminal record.
A federal judge temporarily halted deportations under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, calling the government’s actions “wholly lawless.”
El Salvador’s CECOT mega-prison can hold 40,000 inmates and has been criticized by human rights organizations for alleged abuse, torture, and lack of medical care.

The Controversial Deportation Agreement

The Trump administration has established a controversial agreement with El Salvador allowing for the deportation of individuals deemed to be gang members to the Central American nation’s notorious mega-prison facility. Under this arrangement, the United States will pay El Salvador $6 million for one year of services related to the deportation program. The agreement specifically targets individuals believed to have connections to criminal organizations, particularly the Venezuelan Tre de Aragua gang.

The Center for Confinement of Terrorism (CECOT), El Salvador’s mega-prison, was built as part of President Nayib Bukele’s aggressive anti-crime strategy. This facility can hold up to 40,000 inmates across eight pavilions, with individual cells designed to house 65 to 70 prisoners each. CECOT is known for its harsh conditions, offering no visitation, recreation, or education for inmates.

Trump’s Endorsement of Foreign Incarceration

President Trump has openly expressed support for the idea of sending American citizens convicted of crimes to El Salvador’s prison system. His comments have sparked considerable debate about constitutional rights and due process for American citizens, regardless of their alleged criminal activities.

Trump said, “I love that, If we could take some of our 20-time wise guys that push people into subways and hit people over the back of the head and purposely run people over in cars, if he would take them, I would be honored to give them.”

The administration has invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify these deportations, but legal experts question whether this centuries-old law can be applied to current immigration enforcement. U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg has temporarily halted the use of this act, creating a legal standoff between the judiciary and executive branches.

The Case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia

The controversy intensified when Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident with no criminal record in the United States, was deported to El Salvador’s CECOT prison. Abrego Garcia lived with his U.S. citizen wife and son and had legal protection from deportation due to potential persecution by gangs in El Salvador. The Trump administration later admitted this deportation was an “administrative error,” yet has opposed efforts to return him to the United States.

“He’s not a gang member. The allegations against him are based on whispers and shadows,” said immigration attorney Simon Sandoval-Mosheberg.

The Department of Homeland Security labeled Abrego Garcia as an MS-13 member involved in human trafficking, but his lawyers dispute these claims. The evidence against him appears thin, including wearing a Chicago Bulls hat, which authorities claimed was gang-related attire. While an immigration judge found testimony from an informant reliable, the judge still ruled against deporting Abrego Garcia to El Salvador due to legitimate safety concerns.

Human Rights Concerns

Human rights organizations have raised serious concerns about conditions in El Salvador’s prison system under President Bukele’s administration. Reports of abuse, torture, and inadequate medical care have drawn international criticism. The extreme nature of CECOT’s conditions is highlighted by statements from Salvadoran officials themselves.

Vice President JD Vance has defended the administration’s approach, emphasizing Abrego Garcia’s illegal status and alleged gang connections. He criticized media coverage of the case, suggesting it overlooked the legitimate victims of gang violence. Meanwhile, advocacy groups condemn the use of El Salvador’s prison system as a tool for propaganda and dehumanization rather than legitimate law enforcement.

Legal Battles Ahead

The administration faces multiple legal challenges over these deportations. The federal judiciary has expressed clear concerns about constitutional rights and proper legal procedures. Judge Boasberg’s temporary halt to deportations under the Alien Enemies Act represents a significant legal obstacle to the administration’s plans. Should the government attempt to deport American citizens to El Salvador as President Trump has suggested, even more extensive legal battles would likely follow.

Despite the controversy, the Trump administration has continued with deportation flights, including 238 Venezuelans and 23 Salvadorans labeled as gang members. The full details of the agreement with El Salvador remain undisclosed, raising additional questions about transparency and accountability in this unprecedented arrangement between the two nations.