El Salvador News

On March 15, 2025, 238 Venezuelan migrants were deported from the United States to El Salvador, where they were imprisoned in the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), amidst claims they belong to the Tren de Aragua gang. According to relatives, many were deported without due process, raising concerns of mass arbitrary detention and forced disappearance, as reported by Human Rights Watch. Family members like Adelys Del Valle Silva, mother of deportee Luis Carlos José Marcano Silva, fear for their loved ones' safety amid allegations of mistreatment in CECOT. The U.S. government invoked the Alien Enemies Act, originally enacted in 1798, to justify these deportations, suggesting the individuals pose a threat to national security. Critics, including journalist Ronna Rísquez, argue that tattoos used as gang indicators are common among young Venezuelans and do not warrant such actions. Furthermore, legal battlegrounds have emerged as federal judges challenge the compliance of the deportations with judicial standards. With families desperate for information, the situation highlights profound human rights concerns surrounding U.S. immigration policy.

The deportation of 238 Venezuelans from the United States to El Salvador has raised severe human rights concerns and ignited legal disputes. Following a presidential order by Donald Trump invoking the Alien Enemies Act, these individuals were sent to the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador, despite many lacking criminal records, according to Human Rights Watch. The deportees are alleged to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang, yet evidence remains scant, with relatives asserting that many have no ties to organized crime. Notably, families report a complete lack of communication with loved ones since their transfer on March 16, 2025. Luis Carlos José Marcano Silva, one of the deportees, has not been heard from since his transfer, causing distress among his family in Venezuela. Advocates argue that this mass deportation exemplifies arbitrary detention and forced disappearance, as deportees were not presented to a judge before removal. The U.S. Supreme Court may soon address the legal implications of this executive action, as federal judges have already begun to cast doubt on the legality of the deportations.

El Salvador's government has offered to provide shelter for criminals deported from the United States as part of its ongoing efforts to combat violence and gang-related crime. According to officials, the initiative aims to rehabilitate deportees and reduce the risk of returning to a life of crime. The proposal comes amidst broader security measures in El Salvador, which has faced persistent issues with gang violence. The government, led by President Nayib Bukele, has implemented a controversial crackdown on gangs, resulting in the arrest of thousands of individuals suspected of gang affiliation. Additionally, officials believe that offering a safe environment may assist in reintegrating deported individuals into society. While the initiative has garnered both support and criticism, experts suggest that addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty and lack of opportunities, is essential for long-term security improvements. As El Salvador continues to navigate these challenges, the effectiveness of its proposed measures will be closely monitored both domestically and internationally.

El Salvador's government has announced plans to offer housing to deported criminals as part of a strategy to combat increasing gang-related violence. According to officials, this initiative aims to provide a reintegration pathway for individuals deported from the United States who may return to criminal activity without support. The proposal comes amid a national surge in crime rates, with President Nayib Bukele's administration facing criticism over its handling of gang violence. As part of his security plan, Bukele has emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges posed by deported criminals, many of whom have been linked to notorious gangs like MS-13 and Barrio 18. Authorities stated that providing stable housing and support services could help mitigate the risks associated with this demographic. The initiative reflects a broader trend among Central American governments seeking to manage the repercussions of deportation policies implemented by the U.S. government, which have significant implications for regional security and social stability.

The U.S. and El Salvador have reached a controversial agreement allowing for the outsourcing of American prisoners to El Salvador’s mega-prison. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the deal will include foreign nationals detained for violating U.S. immigration laws, as well as dangerous criminals who are U.S. citizens or legal residents. El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele confirmed the arrangement on social media, emphasizing that the country would accept only convicted criminals in exchange for a fee, which he described as low for the U.S. but significant for El Salvador, potentially supporting its prison system sustainability. The proposal, initially aimed at alleged gang members, has elicited harsh criticism. Manuel Flores, a member of El Salvador's opposition party, condemned the agreement, claiming it reduces El Salvador to the U.S.'s “backyard to dump the garbage.” Criminology lecturer Emmy Rākete echoed these sentiments, labeling it as a morally reprehensible move that could perpetuate human rights abuses considering El Salvador's problematic prison conditions. The implications of this arrangement remain to be seen as both countries face scrutiny over their prison systems.

El Salvador has reached an unprecedented agreement with the Trump administration to house violent US criminals and receive deportees of any nationality, drawing significant criticism from rights groups. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the deal following discussions with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele on February 3, 2025. According to Rubio, this arrangement marks "the most unprecedented and extraordinary migratory agreement anywhere in the world." Under the new terms, El Salvador will continue accepting its own deportees while also deporting illegal immigrants from the US who are classified as criminals. This includes members of notorious gangs such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. Bukele confirmed the agreement on social media, stating, “We are willing to take in only convicted criminals into our mega-prison in exchange for a fee,” which he described as beneficial for maintaining El Salvador's prison system. Critics have voiced concerns that the agreement violates international laws regarding migrant rights and reflects a troubling trend toward authoritarianism, as noted by Emerson College scholar Mneesha Gellman. The implications of the deal remain to be seen.

The Trump administration is advancing a plan with El Salvador aimed at designating the country as a "Safe Third Country," allowing it to accept undocumented immigrants from the U.S., regardless of their nationality. This agreement revives an initiative first proposed during Trump's previous term that was halted by the Biden administration. President Trump aims to curb illegal immigration by shifting the asylum process to El Salvador. The announcement comes following unsuccessful negotiations with other countries, including Mexico and the Bahamas, which have opted not to accept migrants not from their own nations. El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, has expressed support for this strategy, aligning their mutual efforts to combat illegal immigration and transnational gangs. Forthcoming discussions between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Salvadoran officials are planned to solidify this agreement. The proposal follows past policies, which faced significant legal challenges but highlight a continued effort to reshape U.S. immigration policy.