President Donald Trump is set to meet El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele at the White House on Monday, as both leaders continue to work closely on immigration enforcement. El Salvador has become a key part of the U.S. government’s efforts to deport immigrants accused of violent crimes, especially from Venezuela.
Since March, more than 200 Venezuelan immigrants have been deported from the U.S. to El Salvador. Many of them have been placed in the country’s high-security prison located in Tecoluca, near San Salvador. Trump officials claim these individuals are gang members, but have offered little proof or details.
El Salvador Holds Immigrants in Notorious Prison
The immigrants deported under this agreement are now being held in El Salvador’s massive prison, built by Bukele as part of his gang crackdown. The facility has been criticized by human rights groups for harsh conditions and lack of due process. It was designed to house alleged members of MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gangs.
The U.S. has also deported a man from Maryland who, according to a court ruling, should not have been removed. Even after the court ordered his return, the Biden administration has yet to bring him back. As of this weekend, government filings state no action has been taken to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
Trump Praises Bukele’s Efforts
President Trump has praised Bukele, calling him a “fantastic leader” who is helping solve problems the U.S. “can’t handle due to cost.” Trump told reporters that the Salvadoran president is managing “very bad people” who should never have entered the U.S.
“He’s doing an amazing job,” Trump said. “And he’s helping us take care of people we don’t want in this country.”
The U.S. has agreed to pay El Salvador $6 million to detain the deported Venezuelans for one year. When a judge tried to stop one deportation flight, Bukele responded on social media with the words, “Oopsie… too late.”
Supreme Court Allows Deportations Under Wartime Law
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing the use of the Alien Enemies Act, a law from the 1700s, to deport immigrants labeled as national threats. However, the court did require that the individuals get a hearing before being removed from the country.
This weekend, another 10 suspected gang members from Venezuela arrived in El Salvador under the program. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that other countries are also starting to accept deportees and praised Bukele as “a good friend to the United States.”
Potential Trade Talk: El Salvador Seeks Tariff Relief
Bukele may also use his visit to Washington to ask Trump for relief from the 10% tariff the U.S. has placed on Salvadoran goods. His government argues that these tariffs hurt their economy and could worsen conditions for Salvadorans at home.
Milena Mayorga, El Salvador’s ambassador to the U.S., has also pushed for the return of Salvadoran gang leaders. She said that bringing them back is “an issue of honor” so they can face justice in El Salvador.
Rights Concerns Over El Salvador’s State of Emergency
Bukele’s crime crackdown has led to over 84,000 arrests in the past three years. El Salvador remains under a state of emergency, which limits basic rights like due process. Critics say that many people have been jailed without strong evidence.
Still, Bukele remains highly popular in his country. His policies have led to a sharp drop in gang violence. Recently, the U.S. State Department even updated its travel advisory for El Salvador to Level 1, meaning it is considered safe for U.S. visitors.
Maryland Man Still Detained Despite Court Order
The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia remains unresolved. The Supreme Court ruled that he should not have been deported due to risk of gang violence in El Salvador. Trump said that he respects the Court’s decision and would return Garcia if the justices demand it.
“The job is to facilitate the return, not to force it,” said White House official James Leavitt. But so far, Garcia remains in custody in El Salvador. The U.S. government has offered no new updates.
Shared Political Style
Trump and Bukele share a populist style. Both use social media to communicate directly with the public. Both also criticize traditional media and have had tense relationships with political opponents.
Bukele first took office during Trump’s initial term and built a working relationship focused on immigration. During Trump’s presidency, fewer Salvadorans attempted to cross the U.S. border.
Relations between the two countries changed under President Biden, who has criticized Bukele for actions seen as undemocratic. Still, Trump and Bukele remain aligned on security and immigration.
