In a controversial policy shift, President Donald Trump has proposed deporting certain U.S. citizens—specifically those convicted of violent crimes—to El Salvador’s notorious mega-prisons. This idea emerged during an April 14, 2025, meeting with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele at the White House. Trump suggested that Bukele would need to construct “five more” facilities to accommodate the influx of American prisoners. Al Jazeera+6Reuters+6Time+6Instagram+11New York Post+11Axios+11
This proposal builds upon the administration’s recent actions, where hundreds of migrants accused of gang affiliations were deported to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a facility criticized for human rights abuses. The administration utilized the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to facilitate these deportations, a move that has sparked legal and ethical debates. Reuters+5The Verge+5Wikipedia+5The Verge+2New York Post+2Wikipedia+2
Critics argue that deporting U.S. citizens to foreign prisons violates constitutional protections, including the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Legal experts also question the applicability of the Alien Enemies Act in this context, noting its historical use during wartime and not for domestic criminal matters. Wikipedia+2Axios+2The Verge+2Wikipedia+1The Verge+1
The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported to El Salvador despite a court order, underscores the potential for administrative errors and the challenges of reversing such actions. The administration’s refusal to comply with the Supreme Court’s directive to return Abrego Garcia has intensified concerns about executive overreach and the erosion of judicial authority.Latest news & breaking headlines+4WSJ+4Time+4
As the administration explores the legal feasibility of this proposal, human rights organizations and legal scholars continue to raise alarms about the implications for civil liberties and the rule of law. The international community watches closely, considering the broader impact on global human rights standards and the precedent such actions may set.
