|
|
In a dramatic turn of events, the first group of immigrants deported under President Donald Trump has landed in El Salvador, where they were immediately taken to one of the world’s most infamous prisons. The mass deportation, carried out despite legal challenges, has sparked intense debate over human rights, immigration policies, and executive power.
Why Were They Deported?
The Trump administration claims the individuals sent back were linked to organized crime, including alleged members of MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, a notorious Venezuelan gang. However, the deportations happened without formal court trials, raising concerns that people were expelled without due process.
The move was made possible through a rarely used law from 1798, the Alien Enemies Act, which was last invoked during World War II to justify internment camps for Japanese, German, and Italian citizens in the U.S.
Trump’s executive order, signed just hours after his return to office, declared that the U.S. was facing an “invasion” of criminal immigrants. This set the stage for the deportations, which were carried out through a deal between U.S. U.S. Marco Rubio, the U.S. Secretary of State, and Nayib Bukele, the leader of El Salvador.
What Happened in El Salvador?
Once the deportation flight landed, El Salvador’s government quickly moved the deportees into CECOT, a high-security mega-prison known for housing the country’s most violent criminals.
President Nayib Bukele, who has built his political reputation on cracking down on gangs, publicly welcomed the deportees. He shared images and videos of them in handcuffs, being led from the aircraft straight into the prison.
Bukele claimed that 23 of the deported individuals were MS-13 members, including two high-ranking gang leaders. He stated that their presence in El Salvador would help authorities track down more gang members, their money, weapons, and other criminal networks.
Bukele also revealed that the U.S. was paying a small fee for El Salvador to house the deportees, but emphasized that his country was bearing the bigger financial burden. However, he insisted that over time, the country’s prison system would become “self-sustainable” through prison labor programs.
Trump’s Response and Legal Challenges
Trump celebrated the deportation on Truth Social, calling the deportees “monsters” and blaming their presence in the U.S. on Joe Biden and the Democrats.
He also thanked President Bukele for cooperating with the plan and vowed that the U.S. would remember his support.
However, the deportation was not without controversy. A federal judge attempted to block the deportation mid-flight, arguing that it violated due process and international law. But the Trump administration ignored the ruling, with White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissing the judge’s authority over the executive order.
She stated, “A single judge in one city cannot dictate the movements of an aircraft carrier filled with foreign alien terrorists who were physically removed from U.S. soil.”
What Happens Next?
This deportation marks the beginning of a major immigration crackdown under Trump’s new term. However, legal challenges are expected to intensify, as human rights groups and legal experts argue that deporting individuals without trials or due process could set a dangerous precedent.
For now, more deportations are expected, and the political and legal battles surrounding them are just beginning.
