President Donald Trump thanked El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele after a video showed hundreds of suspected criminal migrants being deported from the U.S. to El Salvador.
Trump praised Bukele for his cooperation, citing the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 that allowed for the deportations, and criticized Democratic leadership for allowing such situations.
The 261 deported migrants included 137 under the Alien Enemies Act, 101 Venezuelans, and 21 MS-13 gang members.
El Salvador’s government transferred these individuals to a “terrorism confinement center,” where they will remain for at least a year. Bukele emphasized the action’s role in making the prison system self-sustaining and advancing the fight against organized crime. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also thanked Bukele for his leadership and support.
