El Salvador, a Latin American country, has proposed holding criminals and illegal immigrants deported from the United States in its own prisons. El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, stated that deported individuals would be placed in Latin America’s largest maximum-security prison. However, this proposal involves legal challenges and specific costs, which the Trump administration is considering, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio made this statement on Monday (February 3) after a lengthy meeting with President Bukele.
President Bukele has suggested that deported and illegal immigrants be detained in the country’s CECOT prison. The inmates in this prison are crammed into windowless cells, sleep on metal beds without mattresses, are not allowed to meet visitors, and are kept under 24-hour surveillance.
Bukele, who is popular for his strict policies, stated that El Salvador is willing to let the U.S. use part of its prison system.
In a post on X, President Bukele wrote, “For a fee, we are only willing to take convicted criminals into our large prison. While this fee would be relatively low for the United States, it would be significant for us, making our entire prison system sustainable.”
Trump has supported El Salvador’s proposal, although such an arrangement could face legal obstacles under U.S. law. He said, “If this were legally possible, I wouldn’t hesitate for a moment.”
Trump further stated, “This is no different from our prison system. However, it will be much cheaper and serve as a major deterrent.”
He mentioned that he would discuss the prisoner transfer proposal, which would reduce U.S. costs and help fund El Salvador’s extensive prison system.
Rubio noted that Bukele also proposed detaining dangerous criminals who are U.S. citizens or legal residents in El Salvador’s prisons. However, it is still unclear whether the U.S. will accept this proposal.
Legally, U.S. citizens cannot be deported or expelled from the country. The U.S. Constitution prohibits “cruel and unusual punishment” and guarantees due process.
The U.S. Department of State has described El Salvador’s prisons as “harsh and dangerous.”