El Salvador's president, Nayib Bukele, has offered to accept deportees from the United States, including violent American criminals currently behind bars, in what Secretary of State Marco Rubio called "the most unprecedented, extraordinary migratory agreement anywhere in the world." Rubio disclosed the details late Monday after spending several hours with Bukele at his residence outside San Salvador. He also confirmed El Salvador's willingness to hold inmates "even though they're U.S. citizens or legal residents."
Bukele, writing on X, described the proposal as an opportunity for the U.S. to "outsource part of its prison system." He explained: "We are willing to take in only convicted criminals (including convicted U.S. citizens) into our mega-prison (CECOT) in exchange for a fee." That fee, Bukele noted, "would be relatively low for the U.S. but significant for us, making our entire prison system sustainable."
A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Trump administration "had no current plans" to deport American citizens, underscoring that such a move would invite serious legal challenges. "The U.S. government can't deport American citizens and such a move would be met with significant legal challenges," the official confirmed. Human rights organizations have voiced concern about the conditions of El Salvador's detention facilities, which the State Department deems "harsh and dangerous."
Rubio, who is on a multi-nation tour of Central America, has repeatedly pressed regional partners to bolster President Donald Trump's migration agenda. In his remarks, Rubio called Bukele's offer "a friendlier approach than we have ever seen," emphasizing that El Salvador was ready to accept detainees of "any nationality." The proposed arrangement would effectively position the country as a "safe third country," a designation typically used to relocate those arrested in the U.S. for immigration violations or criminal activity.
Key Points on Proposed Deportation Deal:
- Includes deportees of all nationalities, not just Salvadorans.
- Offers to incarcerate U.S. citizens or legal residents convicted of violent crimes.
- Envisions a paid arrangement making El Salvador's prison system "self-sustaining."
Bukele's government has garnered both praise and criticism for its aggressive crackdown on gangs like MS-13. Critics argue that mass arrests and overcrowded prisons have endangered civil liberties. El Salvador's approach has led to a notable reduction in homicides, but the Ministry of Commerce warns about substandard conditions, including inadequate water, ventilation, and sanitation in many facilities.
Rubio's efforts in the region come amid turmoil over the Trump administration's sweeping freeze on U.S. foreign assistance. Programs addressing crime prevention and illegal migration have been impacted by stop-work orders, leaving thousands of staff in limbo. USAID, previously an independent agency, is now under partial administration by the State Department following directives from Elon Musk, who has been collaborating with President Trump on government reorganization.
Rubio told reporters in San Salvador that he is the acting administrator of USAID, though he has delegated daily operations. He stated that he was now the acting administrator of USAID but had delegated that authority so I would not be running its day-to-day operations. Thousands of USAID employees have been laid off, with numerous initiatives, including those aimed at reducing migration, halted or suspended indefinitely.
Before arriving in El Salvador, Rubio visited Panama, where he witnessed a U.S.-funded deportation flight carrying 43 migrants from Panama to Colombia. "It impacts countries throughout the world. We recognize that many of the people who seek mass migration are often victims and victimized along the way, and it's not good for anyone," Rubio said after observing the operation. The Trump administration has warned countries such as Colombia of potential penalties for refusing to accept deportation flights.
That same day, Rubio privately urged Panamanian officials to ban Chinese activities around the Panama Canal. "I understand that it's a delicate issue in Panama," he told reporters. President Trump, however, used stronger language at the White House, declaring: "China's involved with the Panama Canal. They won't be for long." Panamanian leaders have bristled at such remarks, though they have signaled a retreat from certain Chinese infrastructure deals, seeking to maintain a neutral stance in the increasingly tense U.S.-China power dynamic in the region.
