Hundreds Sent to El Salvador Under Controversial Order

The United States has proceeded with the deportation of over 250 suspected gang members to El Salvador, defying a federal judge’s order to halt the flights. The deportations, carried out under the rarely invoked Alien Enemies Act, have sparked legal and political controversy, with critics questioning both the legality of the move and the treatment of detainees in El Salvador.

Deportations Proceed Despite Legal Challenge
The deportation flights, which included individuals suspected of belonging to violent gangs, arrived in El Salvador, despite US District Judge James Boasberg’s ruling temporarily blocking the removals. The judge had ordered that deportation flights already en route should return to the United States, but by then, the individuals had already landed.

El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, confirmed that the group included 238 suspected members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang and 23 MS-13 members. In an online post, Bukele mocked the court’s ruling with the phrase “Oopsie … Too late,” accompanied by a laughing emoji. Shortly after, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly thanked Bukele for accepting the deportees, praising El Salvador’s prison system as an efficient and cost-effective solution.

Trump Justifies Deportations with Alien Enemies Act
The deportations are being justified by former President Donald Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act, a law dating back to 1798. The law, typically invoked in wartime situations, had never been applied to criminal organizations before. Trump argued that the Tren de Aragua gang was a “foreign terrorist organization” and that its members were engaging in “irregular warfare” against the United States.

This legal move has drawn sharp criticism from both sides of the political spectrum. US Attorney General Pam Bondi defended the deportations, claiming that the court’s attempt to block them undermined the authority of the president and posed a risk to public safety.

Legal and Civil Liberties Concerns
However, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) challenged the use of the Alien Enemies Act in this case, arguing that the law was never intended to be used against criminal organizations such as gangs. Critics argue that the deportations violate due process, as neither the US nor El Salvador provided conclusive evidence that the deported individuals were confirmed gang members or had committed crimes.

El Salvador’s Mega-Prison and Human Rights Concerns
The deportees are being held in El Salvador’s high-security Cecot mega-prison, which has become a central element of President Bukele’s aggressive anti-gang strategy. The prison, designed to house 40,000 inmates, has faced significant criticism for its harsh conditions. Reports have described overcrowded cells where detainees sleep on metal frames without mattresses, endure 24/7 lighting, and are served the same meal daily without utensils.

Human rights organizations have raised alarms about the facility, calling it an abuse of power. Since Bukele’s crackdown on gangs began, over 100 prisoners have reportedly died in custody. Supporters of the crackdown, however, view the prison as a deterrent against rising gang violence, which has plagued El Salvador for years.

International and Domestic Fallout
The deportation of suspected gang members, particularly without clear evidence of criminal activity, raises serious questions about due process and human rights. The move also highlights the growing influence of El Salvador’s prison system in US immigration policy, a situation that many critics view as a disturbing trend.

The political and legal ramifications of the deportations continue to unfold, with both US and El Salvador officials standing by the policy. While some Americans support the use of aggressive measures to combat gang violence, others are concerned about the implications for civil liberties and international relations.