Donald Trump has proposed deporting violent homegrown criminals in the US to El Salvador’s infamous CECOT prison. During a meeting with President Nayib Bukele, Trump said this could reduce costs and improve safety. US Attorney General Pam Bondi is reviewing whether this is legally possible.
Trump’s Bold Crime Crackdown Proposal
Donald Trump has suggested expanding his deportation strategy. He wants to include violent US-born criminals, not just undocumented offenders.
Trump made the remarks at the White House while meeting with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. He praised Bukele’s security strategy and suggested that the US could partner with El Salvador to handle violent offenders.
“We have homegrown criminals that push people into subways, hit elderly ladies… I’d like to include them,” Trump said.
Why El Salvador’s Prison?
Trump referred to CECOT, a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, as a cost-effective solution. The facility already holds thousands of gang members, mostly from Venezuela and other Latin American countries.
“We can do things with the president [of El Salvador] for less money and have great security,” he added.
Trump believes that outsourcing incarceration could reduce taxpayer expenses and boost public safety.
Who Are the “Homegrown Criminals”?
Trump outlined the types of people he wants to deport:
- Violent repeat offenders
- Those who assault civilians
- People involved in gang crimes
He said these offenders are just as dangerous as foreign criminals.
“They’re as bad as anybody that comes in. We have bad ones too. I’m all for it.”
Legal Questions Loom
US Attorney General Pam Bondi, present during the meeting, said her team is studying the laws. She’s reviewing whether deporting US citizens to foreign prisons is constitutional.
This proposal will likely face legal challenges. A federal court recently blocked deportations of alleged gang members to El Salvador, raising concerns about due process.
What Is CECOT?
CECOT, or Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo, is a massive, high-security prison. It was built under President Bukele’s leadership.
The facility holds over 40,000 inmates, many tied to MS-13 and Barrio 18 gangs. Conditions are strict, and international watchdogs have raised concerns over human rights violations.
Still, Bukele’s crackdown remains popular in El Salvador — and it has caught Trump’s attention.
What’s Next for Trump’s Plan?
Trump said if he returns to office, he wants to push this idea further. He hopes to work with El Salvador and other nations to handle what he called “monsters” — violent US-born criminals.
Whether this plan becomes reality will depend on legal rulings and political support.
