Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
US Deports Alleged Gang Members to El Salvador Amid Legal Challenges
The United States government has deported an additional 17 individuals alleged to be gang members to El Salvador, according to the US State Department. This action occurs despite ongoing legal battles concerning the removal of individuals to the Central American nation’s supermax prison. This latest deportation raises questions about US immigration policy and its approach to dealing with gang violence.
Gang Affiliations and Details
Identification of Deportees
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the deported group included individuals affiliated with the Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs. Salvadoran government sources informed the BBC that the group comprised a mix of Venezuelan and Salvadoran nationals.
Allegations of Serious Crimes
Rubio’s statement described the group as containing “murderers and rapists,” though he did not furnish names, specific details of the alleged offenses, or information regarding any convictions.
El Salvador’s Response and Prison Conditions
President Bukele’s Public Stance
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele shared a video on X, depicting shackled men disembarking from an aircraft and undergoing head-shaving before being placed in prison cells. Bukele asserted, “All individuals are confirmed murderers and high-profile offenders, including six child rapists. This operation is a further step in combating terrorism and organized crime.”
Trump’s Remarks and Policy Context
Former President Trump reposted President Bukele’s message, criticizing the Biden administration for allegedly allowing the deportees’ entry into the US and commending Bukele for providing them with “such a wonderful place to live.”
Legal Scrutiny and Deportation Process
Alien Enemies Act and Legal Challenges
Earlier this month, a court issued a temporary halt to deportations conducted under the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 law historically reserved for wartime. This legal challenge, initiated after the Trump administration employed the Act to remove over 100 Venezuelans, argues that due process was unlawfully denied to these immigrants by groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union.
Deportations Continue Despite Court Order
Despite the court order and a temporary restraining order issued on March 15 by Judge James Boasberg, US media outlets, quoting administration sources, indicated these recent deportations were executed under standard immigration laws. A subsequent hearing in the legal case is scheduled for Thursday.
Financial Agreement
US-El Salvador Deportation Agreement
El Salvador has agreed to accept deportees in exchange for $6 million (£4.6 million).
Concerns and Contradictions
Family Denials of Gang Ties
Family members of individuals previously deported to the maximum security prison have refuted claims of gang affiliations.