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Noem’s El Salvador Prison Visit Sparks Controversy
Former South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem has drawn criticism from liberal commentators after visiting a high-security prison in El Salvador that houses individuals deported by the Trump administration. The visit to the Terrorism Confinement Center and Noem’s interactions with alleged gang members have ignited debates over immigration policy and the treatment of detainees.
Past Immigration Policy Engagements
Noem gained prominence during Donald Trump’s administration for her active involvement in immigration enforcement. She notably spent time with ICE agents during periods of heightened border concerns and publicly supported Border Patrol agents who faced accusations of misconduct, actions that previously earned her the moniker “ICE Barbie” from her detractors.
El Salvador Visit and Social Media Backlash
Continuing her focus on immigration and national security, Noem’s recent visit to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center, a facility holding individuals deemed gang members and criminals by the Trump administration, generated renewed controversy. She shared video footage on social media from inside the prison, showing her confronting men purportedly belonging to the Tren de Aragua gang, a criminal organization targeted by Trump’s border security measures.
Watch Controversy and Broader Criticism
Online critics swiftly condemned Noem’s visit and her rhetoric. One commentator, Patrick Jaicomo, questioned the appropriateness of Noem wearing an expensive gold Rolex Daytona wristwatch during the prison visit, implying a disconnect between her affluent appearance and the serious nature of the situation. Jaicomo wrote: “Is Secretary Noem wearing a $50,000 gold Rolex Daytona wristwatch while she films a threat to immigrants with due-process free rendition to a third-world prison?”
Kristi Noem’s visit to the El Salvador prison and her demeanor, including her choice of watch, provoked criticism from some observers.
Kristi Noem’s hands-on approach to homeland security issues includes a visit to a controversial prison in El Salvador.
Beyond the watch itself, numerous liberals expressed strong disapproval of the content of Noem’s video and the implications of the Trump administration’s policy of deporting individuals to foreign prisons. Tim Miller of The Bulwark described the scene as “the sickest s*** i have ever seen in my life oh my god,” reflecting a sense of outrage and moral objection.
Legal and ethical questions were also raised. James Surowiecki questioned the legality of detaining individuals in a foreign prison without criminal convictions in the US, asking, “No one has yet explained what legal authority allows Trump to send undocumented migrants who have been convicted of no crime to rot in a prison in El Salvador. He has the authority to deport them. But how is it legal for him to imprison them in a foreign country?” Another critic, Jim Stewartson, labeled the situation “f***ing disgusting” and characterized Noem’s actions as those of a “fascist psychopath.”
Support from Conservative Commentators
In contrast to the liberal backlash, Noem received support from conservative circles. Supporters within the MAGA movement praised her actions, with one online commenter using the moniker “Deportation Barbie” in a positive light, stating, “Y’all criticize her but I actually like Deportation Barbie.” Fox News journalist Griff Jenkins drew a favorable comparison between Noem’s approach and that of former ‘border czar’ Kamala Harris, suggesting a stronger stance on border security, remarking, “This just feels different than Kamala Harris’ “do not come” warning from Guatemala.”
The visibility of Noem’s watch in her video clip became a point of contention for online critics.
Supporters within the MAGA movement defended Noem’s visit and message.
The Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador, where Noem visited, houses numerous individuals deported by the Trump administration.
Prison Conditions and Noem’s Message
Footage from the Terrorism Confinement Center depicts inmates with shaved heads and bare chests, dressed in white pants and housed in crowded cells. After touring the facility alongside Salvadoran Minister of Justice Hector Gustavo, Noem conveyed a stern message to potential illegal immigrants: “First of all, do not come to our country illegally: You will be removed, and you will be prosecuted. But know that this facility is one of the tools in our toolkit that we will use if you commit crimes against the American people.”
Following the prison tour, Noem met with El Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele. She reiterated her message on social media platform X, stating, “President Trump and I have a clear message to criminal illegal aliens: LEAVE NOW. If you do not leave, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and you could end up in this El Salvadorian prison.”
Reports indicate that the Trump administration deported 261 individuals to El Salvador on March 15th. Among these deportees, at least 21 were identified as members of the MS-13 gang, including two leaders. The exact number of Tren de Aragua members among the deportees remains unclear.
Inmates at the El Salvadorian prison are depicted in stark conditions.
Kristi Noem has faced “ICE Barbie” criticism for her involvement in Trump’s immigration policies.
Legal Challenges to Deportations
These deportations have triggered significant legal challenges and a judicial intervention. District Court Judge James Boasberg issued a temporary restraining order attempting to halt the Trump administration’s actions. Judge Boasberg’s decision came shortly after Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a move intended to aggressively combat the Tren de Aragua gang.
Trump described the situation as an “invasion” by a criminal organization associated with serious offenses including kidnapping, extortion, organized crime, and contract killings.
Judge Boasberg, appointed by President Obama, imposed a 14-day temporary restraining order, arguing that the Alien Enemies Act “does not provide a basis for the president’s proclamation given that the terms invasion, predatory incursion really relate to hostile acts perpetrated by any nation and commensurate to war.” He asserted the need for immediate action due to the government’s ongoing deportation flights to El Salvador and Honduras.
El Salvador had previously agreed to accept up to 300 migrants designated as gang members by the Trump administration.
In invoking the Alien Enemies Act, Trump officially designated Tren de Aragua as a hostile force posing a threat to national stability, claiming the gang was “conducting irregular warfare and undertaking hostile actions against the United States” with the intention of destabilizing the nation.
After the prison tour, Noem delivered a strong message to potential illegal immigrants.
Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act is part of a larger strategy to address the Tren de Aragua cartel.
Tren de Aragua has been linked to numerous severe crimes, including kidnapping, extortion, organized crime, and contract killings. DailyMail.com was among the first US news outlets to report on the gang’s increasing presence in America over a year prior to its wider recognition, which grew after videos surfaced in August showing gang activity near Denver.
The utilization of wartime authority under the Alien Enemies Act grants the president considerable latitude in policy and executive actions. This is anticipated to expedite mass deportations and intensify the administration’s broader crackdown on immigration.
Lee Gelernt, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union, criticized the move, stating, “This proclamation is as lawless as anything the Trump administration has done. We are on very dangerous ground when the administration is going to try to use wartime authority, when we’re at peace, for immigration purposes or any other non-military purpose.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi responded to Judge Boasberg’s restraining order by asserting that he “had supported Tren de Aragua terrorists over the safety of Americans.” She argued, “This order disregards well-established authority regarding President Trump’s power, and it puts the public and law enforcement at risk.”
Trump had indicated intentions to use the Alien Enemies Act during his presidential campaign, preparing immigration advocacy groups for such measures.