El Salvador Offers to Accept Deportees of Any Nationality
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has made a groundbreaking proposal to assist the United States with handling illegal immigrants facing deportation by offering to host them in his country’s prison system for a fee, regardless of their nationality. The offer was extended after a meeting between Bukele and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the president’s lakeside residence outside San Salvador on Monday.
President Bukele took to social media to share details of the proposal, stating, “We have offered the United States of America the opportunity to outsource part of its prison system. We are willing to take in only convicted criminals (including convicted U.S. citizens) into our mega-prison (CECOT) in exchange for a fee. The fee would be relatively low for the U.S. but significant for us, making our entire prison system sustainable.”
Rubio, echoing the sentiment of the Salvadoran president, referred to the agreement as “the most unprecedented, extraordinary migratory agreement anywhere in the world.” He expressed that the proposal involved allowing the U.S. to send illegal immigrants to El Salvador for incarceration, including those deemed dangerous or violent, even if they were American citizens or legal residents.
El Salvador’s Safe Third Country Agreement Proposal
While Bukele extended the offer to include violent American criminals, it is improbable that this aspect of the agreement would come to fruition, given the legal constraints surrounding the deportation of U.S. citizens. However, a U.S. official acknowledged the significance of Bukele’s offer, emphasizing that the Trump administration had no intentions of deporting American citizens.
The proposal, known as a “safe third country” agreement, opens the door for potential collaboration in handling individuals convicted of crimes in the U.S. who cannot be returned to their home countries. This initiative could be particularly beneficial for Venezuelan nationals found guilty in the U.S. who are rejected by Venezuela, with Bukele indicating his willingness to accept detainees of any nationality.
Bukele also committed to repatriating Salvadoran MS-13 gang members residing illegally in the U.S., further offering to receive and detain criminal illegal immigrants from various countries, particularly those connected to Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang. However, the opposition party has raised concerns that such an agreement could lead to Central America becoming a dumping ground for undesirable elements.
Rubio’s Advocacy for Trump’s Immigration Policies
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to El Salvador forms part of a broader effort to garner support for President Trump’s immigration policies, including mass deportations aimed at curbing illegal immigration. Rubio’s trip coincided with the departure of a U.S.-funded deportation flight from Panama to Colombia, carrying 43 individuals detained for crossing into Panama illegally.
Recognizing the complexities and human toll of mass migration, Rubio emphasized the need for comprehensive solutions that address the root causes driving people to undertake perilous journeys. Despite challenges posed by U.S. foreign assistance freezes, efforts to combat illegal immigration and crime in Central America remain a focal point of Rubio’s diplomatic engagements.
As Rubio proceeds with his Central American tour, he aims to rally regional leaders to bolster collaborative efforts in addressing the multifaceted issues surrounding illegal immigration. His visit to El Salvador marks a pivotal step in advancing dialogues on migration and security matters, underscoring the interconnectedness of nations in navigating the complexities of global migration trends.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.