Seventeen alleged gang members, including convicted murderers, child molesters, and drug traffickers, were deported from the United States to El Salvador over the weekend as part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. The group was flown in shackles to El Salvador, where they were immediately transported to the country’s infamous Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a maximum-security prison known for its harsh conditions.
High-profile deportations amid crackdown on violent crime
The White House identified the deportees as illegal immigrants, many of whom were linked to the notorious Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs. Among them, six were charged with child molestation, while others faced accusations of homicide, kidnapping, weapons trafficking, and prostitution.
A White House official confirmed the deportations, stating, “The Department of Defense completed a successful counterterrorism mission this weekend, in partnership with El Salvador. We commend the actions of our military personnel to degrade Foreign Terrorist Organizations under the leadership of President Trump.”
The identities of the suspects were first reported by Fox News journalist Bill Melugin. The deportations come as part of the administration’s broader efforts to combat gang-related crime in the United States by expelling individuals with criminal records.
Arrival at El Salvador’s high-security facility
Upon arrival, the deportees were immediately taken into custody by heavily armed Salvadoran security forces and transported to CECOT, a prison notorious for its stringent policies. Their heads were shaved, and they were assigned to large communal cells, where inmates are housed in groups of up to 70 people with minimal access to bedding or personal space.
CECOT was established two years ago as part of El Salvador’s own campaign against organized crime. The prison is designed to serve as a strong deterrent, with inmates rarely allowed outside their cells and granted only 30 minutes of indoor exercise per day. The facility is part of President Nayib Bukele’s broader strategy to dismantle gang networks that have plagued the country for years.
Legal challenges and continued deportations
This latest round of deportations follows a controversial decision by the Trump administration to use the Alien Enemies Act to fast-track removals of suspected gang members without trial. However, after a federal judge blocked the use of the act, the administration has continued deportations under pre-existing removal orders.
Despite ongoing legal challenges, the Trump administration remains steadfast in its mission to expel violent offenders. Last week, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited CECOT as part of a tour of Latin America. Standing in front of inmates, she emphasized the U.S.’s commitment to removing dangerous criminals, stating, “People need to see that the United States is going to use every tool that we have to make our communities safer.”
Noem further revealed that she had spoken directly with President Bukele about the deportations. “I asked, ‘Will you take more of these terrorists?’ And he said, ‘Absolutely, we will. We will take the worst of the worst and make sure that they’re facing consequences for what they’ve done to your country.’”
With deportations continuing and diplomatic cooperation strengthening, the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to immigration enforcement signals a clear message: the U.S. is committed to removing violent offenders and ensuring they face justice in their countries of origin.
