Trump thanks El Salvador for taking in alleged gang members deported from US: ‘We will not forget’

President Trump Singles Out El Salvador for Cooperation in Deportation Efforts

In a recent display of international cooperation, President Donald Trump publicly thanked El Salvador for its role in accepting deportees from the United States. The move comes as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to address what it describes as a growing migrant crisis. On Sunday, El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, shared dramatic video footage of hundreds of alleged migrant criminals arriving in Central America after being deported from the U.S. The video, which showed heavily armed Salvadoran authorities taking the individuals into custody, has drawn attention to the increasingly contentious issue of migration and deportation.

The deportation effort, which included 261 individuals, was carried out under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a rarely invoked law that allows the U.S. to deport nationals and citizens of an enemy nation without a hearing. Trump used the law to deport 137 individuals, while another 101 Venezuelans were removed under Title 8, and 21 Salvadoran MS-13 gang members, including two ringleaders, were also deported. The deported individuals had rap sheets that included serious offenses such as kidnapping, sexual abuse of a child, aggravated assault, prostitution, robbery, and aggravated assault of a police officer. Trump praised El Salvador for its cooperation, writing on social media: "Thank you to El Salvador and, in particular, President Bukele, for your understanding of this horrible situation, which was allowed to happen to the United States because of incompetent Democrat leadership. We will not forget!"

Legal and Political Fallout Over the Deportations

The deportation effort, however, was not without controversy. A federal judge, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg, issued an order to halt the deportations, arguing that Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act may be illegal. The order came after the planes carrying the migrants had already left U.S. airspace, sparking a debate over the legality and timing of the judge’s action. A Trump administration official clarified that the planes were already outside of U.S. airspace when the order was issued, stating, "We did not defy a court order. The order came too late, and illegals were already in international airspace." White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed this sentiment, stating that the order "had no lawful basis, was issued after terrorist aliens had already been removed from U.S. territory."

The legal battle highlights the ongoing tension between the Trump administration and the judiciary over immigration policies. Critics argue that the use of the Alien Enemies Act in this context is a stretch of its original intent, which was to allow the president to deport citizens of enemy nations during times of war. The Trump administration, however, maintains that the law provides a necessary tool to address the threat posed by criminal migrants.

El Salvador’s Handling of the Deportees

Upon arrival in El Salvador, the deported migrants were taken into custody by heavily armed authorities and transferred to a "terrorism confinement center," where they will be held for at least a year. Bukele highlighted the efficiency of the operation, stating that the apprehension of the MS-13 members would help El Salvador finalize intelligence gathering and target the remaining elements of the gang, including its members, money, weapons, drugs, hideouts, collaborators, and sponsors. The video shared by Bukele showed the suspects being shaved and led to their prison cells, where they will join over 40,000 inmates already participating in the country’s Zero Idleness program. The program aims to make the prison system self-sustainable by engaging inmates in various workshops and labor initiatives, with the goal of reducing the annual cost of $200 million.

Bukele framed the operation as a multifaceted success, stating that it not only advanced the fight against organized crime but also strengthened El Salvador’s partnership with the U.S. and helped make the country safer. "As always, we continue advancing in the fight against organized crime," he wrote. "But this time, we are also helping our allies, making our prison system self-sustainable, and obtaining vital intelligence to make our country an even safer place. All in a single action." Bukele also expressed his gratitude to the U.S. for its cooperation, writing, "May God bless El Salvador, and may God bless the United States."

U.S.-El Salvador Partnership and the "Golden Age" Agenda

The collaboration between the U.S. and El Salvador on this deportation effort is part of a broader agenda being pursued by the Trump administration. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently visited Panama and Latin America to promote Trump’s "Golden Age" agenda, praised Bukele as a key partner in the region. Rubio commended Bukele as not only the strongest security leader in the region but also a great friend of the U.S. The secretary’s visit to Latin America is aimed at strengthening ties and advancing a shared vision for security, prosperity, and cooperation in the hemisphere.

The "Golden Age" agenda, as envisioned by Trump, seeks to foster a new era of collaboration between the U.S. and its Latin American partners, focusing on issues such as migration, organized crime, and economic development. The deportation effort and El Salvador’s willingness to accept deportees of any nationality highlight the country’s role as a key player in this initiative. The operation also underscores the importance of regional cooperation in addressing the root causes of migration and the challenges posed by transnational criminal organizations.

Conclusion: A New Era of Cooperation and Controversy

The recent deportation effort and the collaboration between the U.S. and El Salvador mark a significant moment in the ongoing debate over migration and national security. While the Trump administration has hailed the operation as a success, it has also sparked legal and political challenges, raising questions about the use of the Alien Enemies Act and the constitutionality of the deportation process. The role of El Salvador in accepting the deportees and its handling of the individuals has been praised by U.S. officials, but it also highlights the broader implications of the "Golden Age" agenda and the potential for further controversy in the months to come.

Ultimately, the partnership between the U.S. and El Salvador reflects the complex and often contentious nature of migration and security policies in the region. As both countries continue to navigate this challenging landscape, the success of their efforts will depend on their ability to balance the needs of their citizens with the demands of international cooperation.