In a controversial meeting with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele on Monday, President Donald Trump doubled down on his proposal to send U.S. citizens convicted of violent crimes to foreign prisons, specifically to El Salvador.
This proposal comes amid the growing debate over the Trump administration’s deportation policies and a Supreme Court ruling instructing the administration to facilitate the return of a migrant who was wrongfully deported to an El Salvadoran mega-prison.
Trump’s Proposal to Send “Homegrown Criminals” to El Salvador
The conversation, which was captured in a video posted by Bukele’s office on X, took place before reporters entered the Oval Office. Trump discussed his idea to send American criminals, particularly those accused of violent crimes, to El Salvador.
According to the video, Trump said, “Homegrown criminals next,” and suggested that Bukele build more prisons to house them, joking, “You gotta build about five more places.”
Bukele, who is a key partner in the Trump administration’s migrant deportation efforts, responded with a simple, “Alright,” as others in the room laughed. Trump then added, “It’s not big enough,” hinting at the need for even more space to accommodate criminals from the United States.
Legal Concerns and Constitutional Issues
While Trump’s proposal has sparked significant controversy, legal experts have pointed out that the idea could be a violation of the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution does not allow for the forced deportation of U.S. citizens to foreign countries.
The Trump administration has previously floated similar ideas, but legal challenges and constitutional constraints have made it difficult for them to move forward with such plans.
During the meeting, Trump was heard saying that his team was currently studying the possibility of sending violent offenders to El Salvador. He reiterated, “If it’s a homegrown criminal, I have no problem,” adding, “I’m talking about really bad people. Really bad people. Every bit as bad as the ones coming in.”
Bukele’s Offer and Support for the Trump Administration
President Bukele has been a strong ally of the Trump administration, particularly in matters related to migrant deportations.
He first offered to house violent U.S. criminals shortly after Trump’s inauguration, describing the arrangement as an “act of extraordinary friendship.” However, Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged at the time that there were legal questions surrounding the proposal, especially about its constitutionality.
On Monday, Bukele expressed his willingness to support Trump, stating, “I’m very eager to help.” He also made a striking comment, saying, “In fact, Mr. President, you have 350 million people to liberate. You know, but to liberate 350 million people, you have to imprison some.”
His remarks highlight the authoritarian approach many critics associate with his presidency, as well as the growing concerns about human rights and the treatment of prisoners in the country.
The Ongoing Legal Battle
The discussion surrounding El Salvador’s prison system and U.S. deportations comes amid a legal battle over the case of Kilmar Abrego García, a Maryland man who was wrongfully deported to an El Salvadoran mega-prison earlier this year.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration must “facilitate” his return to the United States, further complicating the already contentious issue of deportation.