US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed high praise for the agreement reached with El Salvador's President on Monday. Rubio was astonished by President Nayib Bukele's willingness to implement what he referred to as the most remarkable migratory agreement worldwide. Bukele had agreed to take in individuals deported from the US, regardless of their nationality, and detain them in El Salvador's mega-prison.
Rubio highlighted that Bukele had also proposed to accommodate dangerous criminals, including US citizens or legal residents, who are currently serving sentences in the United States. This offer to host convicted criminals was characterized by Bukele as an opportunity for the US to outsource part of its prison system, in exchange for a fee.
Furthermore, Bukele disclosed that the facility designated to house those deported from the US would be their mega-prison, also known as Cecot. This maximum-security prison, operational since January 2023, has a capacity for 40,000 inmates and is renowned for its stringent conditions.
The manner in which inmates are confined in the prison, the motivation behind its construction following a violent incident, as well as concerns raised by human rights groups about the treatment of prisoners, were detailed. The potential legal challenges and processes involved in deporting US citizens or lawful residents to foreign jails were also discussed, highlighting the distinctions in treatment based on citizenship status.
Lastly, remarks by President Trump and insights from legal experts regarding the deportation of US citizens, denaturalization, and the implications for permanent residents were presented. The focus on addressing notorious criminal organizations, such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, through potential collaboration with El Salvador and utilizing its prison facilities was emphasized.