President Trump is scheduled to meet with President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador at the White House on Monday, as the administration intensifies its use of a controversial Salvadoran prison to detain migrants deported from the United States.
Mr. Bukele, who has dubbed himself the world’s “coolest dictator,” has emerged as a cooperative partner in the administration’s plan for deportations that often bypass due process. The use of the prison, known as CECOT, has sparked significant debate regarding the administration's efforts to circumvent standard immigration procedures and the judicial review of executive actions.
On the eve of the leaders' meeting, the Trump administration attempted to resist a federal judge's order to reinstate a Maryland man who was unlawfully deported to the prison. In a legal filing, the Justice Department contended that courts do not have the authority to mandate actions the White House must take regarding foreign policy.
The administration has opposed the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old father of three, despite acknowledging in court that his deportation was a result of an “administrative error.” An immigration judge previously ruled against his deportation, citing potential violence or torture he could face in El Salvador. Nonetheless, the United States deported him and many others to El Salvador last month.
The Trump administration has defended its use of wartime authority to deport migrants by claiming they are affiliated with violent gangs such as MS-13 and the Venezuelan group Tren de Aragua. While some deportees have prior criminal convictions, court documents reveal that the government’s criteria for labeling individuals as gang members often relied on superficial indicators, such as tattoos or clothing associated with criminal organizations.
On Sunday, the Trump administration reaffirmed its agreement with Mr. Bukele by announcing the deportation of ten additional individuals alleged to be members of the two gangs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the partnership between Mr. Trump and Mr. Bukele as a model for security and prosperity in the region.
Mr. Bukele has gained international attention by welcoming the Trump administration's support of his prison system. While the Biden administration has criticized Mr. Bukele and his government for purportedly negotiating with gang leaders, the Trump administration has embraced Bukele's stringent crime policies.
Both leaders have combined their aggressive enforcement strategies with a highly publicized social media campaign, facing accusations of undermining democratic institutions. Following a spike in gang violence in El Salvador, Mr. Bukele imposed an ongoing state of emergency and authorized mass arrests by police and military forces. Reports indicate that many of the 85,000 Salvadorans arrested have vanished into the prison system without trial or family notification.
“Human rights, democratic norms and the rule of law have all but disappeared in El Salvador,” stated Amanda Strayer, senior counsel for accountability at Human Rights First. She criticized the Trump administration for aligning with Mr. Bukele's authoritarian methods, which include detaining individuals without evidence and denying them due process.
Despite these criticisms, Mr. Bukele’s popularity continues to rise, having been re-elected in a landslide last year. The Trump administration recently downgraded its travel advisory for El Salvador, categorizing it among the safest countries for American travelers. Mr. Bukele celebrated this change on social media, likening it to receiving a “gold star.”