US President Donald Trump has expressed support for imprisoning American citizens convicted of crimes in El Salvador’s notorious “megaprison”, a proposal that experts say is almost certainly illegal. The plan, which would involve jailing for a fee undocumented migrants from any country who have been convicted of crimes, was met with praise from Mr. Trump’s secretary of state and billionaire adviser.
The proposal has raised concerns over its constitutionality and legality, as sending US prisoners to another country is prohibited by law. Human rights groups have also warned about the extreme overcrowding and reports of torture in El Salvador’s prisons.
Despite these concerns, President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador sees the plan as an opportunity to reinforce his ties with Mr. Trump and demonstrate his willingness to crack down on crime. The two leaders have sought to forge an image of iconoclasts willing to take tough stances on crime, which has been met with skepticism by many experts.
The idea is part of a broader effort by the US to expand its immigration enforcement in Central America, following the signing of a “safe third country” agreement in 2019. The proposal has sparked debate over Mr. Trump’s commitment to human rights and his administration’s approach to immigration.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/04/us/politics/trump-el-salvador-americans-jail.html