El Salvador to Accept US Deportees of All Nationalities After Meeting with Rubio “`

February 5, 2025 by No Comments

President Nayib Bukele has proposed a paid arrangement where El Salvador would house deported undocumented immigrants of any nationality in its prison system.

This offer followed a meeting between Bukele and Senator Rubio at Bukele’s residence outside San Salvador on Monday.

“We’ve offered the U.S. the chance to outsource part of its prison system,” Bukele announced on X. “We’ll accept convicted criminals, including U.S. citizens, into our mega-prison (CECOT) for a fee. This fee would be cost-effective for the U.S. while significantly bolstering our prison system’s finances.”

Rubio described the agreement as “the most unprecedented migratory agreement anywhere in the world.”

“We can send them, and he will incarcerate them,” Rubio stated regarding undocumented immigrants in U.S. prisons. “He’s also offered to do the same for dangerous criminals serving sentences in the U.S., even if they are U.S. citizens or legal residents.”

While Bukele’s offer extended to violent American criminals, this aspect is highly improbable due to the illegality of deporting U.S. citizens. A U.S. official confirmed that the Trump administration had no plans to deport American citizens, but acknowledged the significance of Bukele’s offer.

This potential “safe third country” agreement could apply to Venezuelan gang members convicted in the U.S. if Venezuela refuses repatriation. Rubio confirmed Bukele’s willingness to accept detainees of any nationality.

Bukele also committed to accepting all Salvadoran MS-13 gang members residing illegally in the U.S., and pledged to incarcerate criminal undocumented immigrants from any country, particularly those linked to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang.

Manuel Flores, secretary general of the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front, criticized the “safe third country” plan, characterizing it as making the region a “dumping ground” for the U.S.

Rubio’s visit aimed to secure greater support for a mass deportation plan. His arrival in San Salvador followed his observation of a U.S.-funded deportation flight from Panama to Colombia carrying 43 undocumented immigrants.

The flight involved 32 men and 11 women apprehended by Panamanian authorities after crossing the Darien Gap illegally from Colombia. The State Department cited the deportations as a deterrent measure.

“Mass migration is a major modern tragedy,” Rubio remarked. “It affects countries worldwide. We acknowledge that many migrants are victims, and this situation isn’t beneficial for anyone.”

Rubio’s trip coincided with a freeze on U.S. foreign aid and work stoppages impacting programs addressing illegal immigration and crime in Central America. The State Department confirmed waivers for certain critical programs in the visited countries.

The Senator will continue urging foreign leaders for greater cooperation, including during upcoming visits to Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic, as part of a five-nation Central American tour.