The Trump administration deported 250 illegal aliens, including members of violent gangs, to El Salvador over the weekend, a move that came despite an attempt by an Obama-appointed judge to block the action. The deportees, who had criminal records including child sex abuse, kidnapping, and aggravated assault on police officers, were transported under an agreement between the U.S. and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. Upon arrival, the deported individuals were taken directly to a high-security mega-prison in El Salvador.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 16, 2025
Trump shared footage of the deportation process, calling the individuals “monsters” sent into the U.S. by the Biden administration and denouncing the role of Democrat leadership in allowing them to enter the country. “Thank you to El Salvador and, in particular, President Bukele, for your understanding of this horrible situation, which was allowed to happen in the United States because of incompetent Democrat leadership. We will not forget!” Trump posted on social media.
NEW: Per a senior Trump admin official, there were 261 illegal aliens deported to El Salvador yesterday.
137 via the Alien Enemies Act of 1798
101 were Venezuelans removed via Title 8 (regular immigration proceedings)
21 were Salvadoran MS-13 gang members
2 were “special…
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) March 16, 2025
According to Fox News reporter Bill Melugin, the deportations included 137 individuals removed under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, 101 Venezuelans deported under Title 8, and 21 MS-13 gang members. Salvadoran officials also confirmed that among those deported were ringleaders of the notorious Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, as well as high-ranking MS-13 members wanted for prosecution in El Salvador.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed concerns about the legality of the move, arguing that the administration had not defied any lawful court order. “The Administration did not ‘refuse to comply’ with a court order. The order, which had no lawful basis, was issued after terrorist TdA aliens had already been removed from U.S. territory,” she stated. Leavitt also cited Supreme Court precedent affirming that courts generally have no jurisdiction over the president’s execution of foreign affairs, including his authority to remove foreign threats from the country.
Today, the first 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, arrived in our country. They were immediately transferred to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, for a period of one year (renewable).
The United States will pay a very low fee for them,… pic.twitter.com/tfsi8cgpD6
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) March 16, 2025
President Bukele echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that his country would benefit from the intelligence gathered from these criminals. He revealed that El Salvador had received 23 MS-13 members, including two ringleaders, and described how their capture would help dismantle remaining elements of the gang. “One of them is a member of the criminal organization’s highest structure. This will help us finalize intelligence gathering and go after the last remnants of MS-13,” Bukele explained. He also noted that the move would contribute to making his country’s prison system more self-sustainable while assisting the U.S. in reducing criminal elements within its borders.
The deportation effort underscores the stark contrast between approaches to immigration policy and national security. The Trump administration’s decisive action prioritized removing criminals linked to violent organizations, while activist judges continue to push back against enforcement efforts.
