A wave of deportations has sent over 250 individuals to one of the most feared prisons in the world, as former U.S. President Donald Trump enacts an aggressive crackdown on alleged criminal immigrants. Despite a federal judge’s attempt to halt the action, the flight had already taken off, delivering the deportees to the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador, a facility notorious for its extreme conditions and harsh treatment of prisoners.
The deportation, carried out under an obscure 18th-century law, marks an unprecedented move in modern U.S. history. The Alien Enemies Act of 1798, originally designed for wartime measures, had not been enforced on such a scale since World War II, when it was used to justify the internment of Japanese, German, and Italian citizens. Now, Trump has revived the legislation to justify the mass removal of non-citizens accused of criminal activity, bypassing standard court procedures.
Within hours of reclaiming the White House, Trump signed an executive order labeling undocumented migration an ‘invasion’, citing alleged links between illegal immigration and organized crime. The order granted sweeping powers to law enforcement, allowing the expulsion of individuals without trial. The deportees were allegedly part of violent gangs, including members of the Venezuelan criminal network Tren de Aragua and the notorious MS-13, a claim heavily promoted by both the Trump administration and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.
Bukele, who has taken a hardline approach to crime in his country, personally welcomed the deportees with a televised broadcast, showcasing their arrival at the heavily fortified facility. The footage showed detainees handcuffed and escorted by armed guards, reinforcing his administration’s tough stance against organized crime.
“We are receiving these criminals because they pose a greater threat to America than to El Salvador,” Bukele declared. “This action, combined with our ongoing Zero Idleness program, which puts more than 40,000 inmates to work, will make our prison system self-sustaining. The U.S. will pay a minimal cost, while we bear the burden.”
Bukele also claimed that the deportation included 23 high-ranking MS-13 members, some of whom were on El Salvador’s most-wanted list. “One of them holds a leadership position within the gang’s highest structure,” he added. “This intelligence will be crucial in dismantling the last remnants of MS-13.”
Trump, never one to shy away from bold rhetoric, took to Truth Social to celebrate the move.
“These are monsters—sent into our country by Crooked Joe Biden and the Radical Left Democrats,” he posted. “How dare they! Thank you to President Bukele for understanding this horrific situation. America will not forget this.”
Legal Battle and the Judge’s Attempt to Block the Deportation
The deportation did not occur without resistance. A federal judge issued a ruling to block the order, stating that the mass expulsion violated due process and that deporting individuals without trials raised serious constitutional concerns.
However, the ruling came too late. By the time the judge attempted to halt the flight, the aircraft carrying the detainees was already airborne, rendering the decision ineffective. This led to widespread criticism of the executive branch’s defiance of the judicial system.
The Trump administration dismissed any accusations of unlawful action, insisting that the move was within its legal authority. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the deportations, mocking the judge’s ruling as powerless.
“A single judge in a single city does not have the power to dictate the fate of a plane full of foreign alien terrorists who have already been physically expelled from U.S. soil,” she stated.
Outcry and Concerns Over Human Rights Violations
Despite Trump’s and Bukele’s claims that the deportation targets criminals, human rights organizations and legal experts have raised alarm over the lack of due process. Critics argue that not all deportees were proven gang members and that some may have been wrongfully accused or lacked legal representation.
CECOT, the Salvadoran prison where the deportees are now being held, has been dubbed one of the world’s most brutal detention facilities. The prison, designed to house 40,000 inmates, has drawn international scrutiny for its harsh conditions, overcrowding, and alleged human rights abuses. Reports of inhumane treatment, extreme isolation, and deaths inside the facility have sparked concerns that the deportees will face severe punishment regardless of their guilt or innocence.
“This is not justice,” said a U.S.-based immigration rights advocate. “This is political theater—using mass deportation as a tool to appeal to hardline voters, while innocent people get caught in the crossfire.”
The Future of Trump’s Deportation Agenda
With this move setting a controversial precedent, many are questioning what comes next. Will Trump continue using wartime-era laws to remove non-citizens without trial? Will deportations extend beyond suspected criminals to include all undocumented migrants?
For now, the legal battle is far from over. Advocacy groups are already preparing lawsuits to challenge the use of the Alien Enemies Act, while federal courts weigh the legality of the executive order.
However, as long as Trump remains in office, it’s clear that his administration will push forward with its aggressive immigration policies—regardless of judicial opposition, international backlash, or concerns over human rights violations.