47 sources·Politics

U.S. and El Salvador Finalize Controversial Deportation Agreement

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele offers to accept U.S. deportees, including violent criminals, sparking legal concerns over deporting American citizens.

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  1. Rubio touts Bukele's 'generous' offer to jail U.S. citizens in El Salvador, but experts say it's illegal

    The offer from Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to accept U.S. deportees, particularly violent offenders, is framed as a generous gesture, but raises significant legal and ethical questions that are likely to challenge the integrity of U.S. constitutional law.

    Rubio touts Bukele's 'generous' offer to jail U.S. citizens in El Salvador, but experts say it's illegal

    NBC NewsNBC News·3M
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  2. Salvadoran President Offers to House U.S. Inmates from Any Nation, For a Fee

    President Bukele's unprecedented offer to house American criminals is a bold move that could reshape the dynamics of prison management and international cooperation in crime control.

    Salvadoran President Offers to House U.S. Inmates from Any Nation, For a Fee

    Breitbart NewsBreitbart News·3M
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  3. 'Get them out': Trump says US mulling sending American convicts to other countries for fee

    The idea of outsourcing American criminals to foreign jails may seem like a quick fix to a complex problem, but it raises serious ethical and legal concerns that demand careful consideration.

    'Get them out': Trump says US mulling sending American convicts to other countries for fee

    USA TODAYUSA TODAY·3M
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  4. Trump, Musk, Rubio Entertain Sending U.S. Citizens to El Salvadorian Super Prison

    President Nayib Bukele's audacious proposal to house American criminals in El Salvador reveals a troubling willingness to commodify justice and further exploit vulnerable populations for financial gain.

    Trump, Musk, Rubio Entertain Sending U.S. Citizens to El Salvadorian Super Prison

    Rolling StoneRolling Stone·3M
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  5. What to know about the El Salvadorian mega-prison Trump has promised to send U.S. prisoners

    El Salvador's approach to fighting crime through mass incarceration, despite its troubling implications for human rights, showcases a stark shift in governance, prioritizing aggressive measures over due process.

    What to know about the El Salvadorian mega-prison Trump has promised to send U.S. prisoners

    PBS NewsHourPBS NewsHour·3M
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  6. Trump backs idea of jailing US criminals abroad

    The notion of outsourcing the incarceration of violent criminals to foreign prisons not only reflects an alarming shift in policy but also highlights a troubling attitude towards justice and public safety.

    Trump backs idea of jailing US criminals abroad

    Washington ExaminerWashington Examiner·3M
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  7. Rubio announces prison plan with MAGA’s favorite dictator

    Rubio's endorsement of Bukele's inhumane prison proposal highlights a troubling willingness to embrace authoritarianism under the guise of combating crime, revealing a disturbing alignment of American political figures with a self-proclaimed dictator.

    Rubio announces prison plan with MAGA’s favorite dictator

    MSNBCMSNBC·3M
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  8. Could US criminals be sent to El Salvador's mega-jail?

    President Nayib Bukele's controversial offer to house US criminals in El Salvador's mega-jail reflects a troubling willingness to commodify human lives in exchange for financial gain, raising serious ethical and legal questions.

    Could US criminals be sent to El Salvador's mega-jail?

    BBC NewsBBC News·3M
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  9. El Salvador offers to hold deportees and incarcerated US citizens in its jails

    The offer from Bukele to house dangerous criminals from the US reflects a troubling willingness to turn El Salvador into a dumping ground for individuals whose rights and dignity may be severely compromised.

    El Salvador offers to hold deportees and incarcerated US citizens in its jails

    The GuardianThe Guardian·3M
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  10. Rubio Brokers Deal With El Salvador to Send Immigrants, US Citizens to Prisons There

    The proposal to deport U.S. citizens to El Salvador, framed by both leaders as a groundbreaking agreement, starkly reveals the troubling alliance between two authoritarian regimes, raising serious concerns over its legality and the humanitarian implications for migrants.

    Rubio Brokers Deal With El Salvador to Send Immigrants, US Citizens to Prisons There

    TruthoutTruthout·3M
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  11. US to Weigh El Salvador’s Offer to House Criminals of Any Nationality: Rubio

    The proposal from El Salvador to house criminals in its jails represents a bold and unprecedented approach to tackling the issue of violent crime, providing a potentially cost-effective solution for the United States.

    US to Weigh El Salvador’s Offer to House Criminals of Any Nationality: Rubio

    Epoch TimesEpoch Times·3M
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  12. Rubio says El Salvador’s offer to jail violent American criminals faces ‘legalities’

    El Salvador's unprecedented offer to jail American criminals reflects a desperate yet shrewd approach to managing its prison crisis and could be seen as a creative solution to an ongoing problem, though it undoubtedly raises numerous legal and ethical questions.

    Rubio says El Salvador’s offer to jail violent American criminals faces ‘legalities’

    Boston HeraldBoston Herald·3M
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  13. ‘Extraordinary’: El Salvador Agrees To Take In Any Gangbangers, Convicted Criminals Deported Out Of US

    President Bukele's unprecedented offer to house convicted criminals from the U.S. in El Salvador not only underscores his commitment to tackling crime at home but also presents a potentially significant solution for the Trump administration's immigration enforcement challenges.

    ‘Extraordinary’: El Salvador Agrees To Take In Any Gangbangers, Convicted Criminals Deported Out Of US

    Daily CallerDaily Caller·3M
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  14. El Salvador offers to house violent U.S. criminals and deportees

    El Salvador's unprecedented offer to house foreign criminals signifies a daring, albeit controversial, approach to addressing its own prison overcrowding and leveraging its aggressive crime policies for economic gain.

    El Salvador offers to house violent U.S. criminals and deportees

    ReasonReason·3M
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  15. Trump Says He's Exploring Option to Send Jailed US Criminals to Other Countries

    The unprecedented offer from El Salvador to take in violent American criminals raises significant legal questions, revealing the complexities of Trump's administration's approach to foreign relations and immigration.

    Trump Says He's Exploring Option to Send Jailed US Criminals to Other Countries

    NewsmaxNewsmax·3M
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  16. Marco Rubio says El Salvador's president agrees to house US criminals in his country's jails

    The unprecedented agreement struck between the United States and El Salvador reflects a deepening of ties between the two nations, showcasing the willingness of both parties to tackle crime through extreme measures.

    Marco Rubio says El Salvador's president agrees to house US criminals in his country's jails

    ABC NewsABC News·3M
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  17. El Salvador says it will take America's deportees and criminals — of any nationality

    Bukele's aggressive measures have not only dramatically reduced crime in El Salvador but have also positioned him to negotiate an unprecedented deal with the U.S. regarding criminal deportations, highlighting his controversial yet strategic approach to governance.

    El Salvador says it will take America's deportees and criminals — of any nationality

    The BlazeThe Blaze·3M
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  18. Rubio says El Salvador has made "extraordinary" offer to U.S regarding deportees, including American citizens

    The unprecedented agreement presented by Bukele could further entrench El Salvador as a destination for the U.S. to offload its criminal elements, raising significant concerns over human rights and the responsibilities of nations in handling their imprisoned citizens.

    Rubio says El Salvador has made "extraordinary" offer to U.S regarding deportees, including American citizens

    CBS NewsCBS News·3M
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  19. El Salvador offers to jail US convicts in ‘unprecedented’ proposal

    Nayib Bukele's bold offer to house American criminals in El Salvador’s prisons reflects a controversial yet effective strategy to address both immigration and crime, highlighting the stark realities of his country’s prison situation amid international scrutiny.

    El Salvador offers to jail US convicts in ‘unprecedented’ proposal

    Al JazeeraAl Jazeera·3M
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  20. El Salvador agrees to accept US deportees of any nationality following meeting with Rubio

    President Nayib Bukele's bold proposal to offer El Salvador's prison system as a solution for U.S. deportations presents a controversial twist in the ongoing immigration debate, potentially positioning the country as a dumping ground for unwanted criminals.

    El Salvador agrees to accept US deportees of any nationality following meeting with Rubio

    FOX NewsFOX News·3M
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  21. Rubio says El Salvador will house deportees from U.S., including Americans

    Rubio's visit underscores a bold shift in U.S. immigration policy, as the Trump administration seeks unconventional partnerships to combat mass migration, yet it raises serious concerns about human rights and the implications for asylum seekers.

    Rubio says El Salvador will house deportees from U.S., including Americans

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  22. US official: 'No current plans' to deport US citizens as Rubio says 'we can send them' to Salvadoran jail

    The recent agreement between the U.S. and El Salvador raises eyebrows about the potential outsourcing of America’s criminal justice challenges to a country that has been controversial for its tough stance on crime.

    US official: 'No current plans' to deport US citizens as Rubio says 'we can send them' to Salvadoran jail

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  23. El Salvador's president makes "unprecedented" offer to jail American criminals, Rubio says

    The unprecedented offer from El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele to house American criminals in his jails reflects a bold and controversial approach to immigration and crime that challenges conventional notions of justice and accountability.

    El Salvador's president makes "unprecedented" offer to jail American criminals, Rubio says

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  24. El Salvador to take deported migrants from US, regardless of nationality

    The unprecedented agreement between El Salvador and the U.S. marks a troubling precedent, as it sends a clear message that Central America is being treated as a dumping ground for violent criminals.

    El Salvador to take deported migrants from US, regardless of nationality

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  25. El Salvador Offers to Detain Deportees and Criminals From U.S.

    The unprecedented offer from Bukele to accept deportees of any nationality, including violent criminals, underscores a troubling willingness to become a dumping ground for the U.S. prison system, evoking fears about human rights and the potential consequences for asylum seekers.

    El Salvador Offers to Detain Deportees and Criminals From U.S.

    TIME MagazineTIME Magazine·3M
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  26. El Salvador offers to house violent US criminals and deportees of any nationality in unprecedented deal

    This unprecedented agreement between El Salvador and the Trump administration marks a troubling shift towards a more authoritarian approach to immigration, raising serious concerns about human rights and the treatment of vulnerable populations.

    El Salvador offers to house violent US criminals and deportees of any nationality in unprecedented deal

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  27. El Salvador agrees to "unprecedented" migrant deal, Marco Rubio says

    The recent agreements reached by Secretary Rubio and President Bukele illustrate a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, showcasing an unprecedented partnership where El Salvador not only agrees to take back its own citizens but also dangerous criminals from other nations.

    El Salvador agrees to "unprecedented" migrant deal, Marco Rubio says

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  25. NPR
  26. AlterNet
  27. Axios
  28. Straight Arrow News
  29. TIME Magazine
  30. CNN
  31. Newsweek

Updated: Feb 4th, 2025, 11:35 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele have finalized a historic agreement to deport detained migrants and imprisoned individuals, including potentially U.S. citizens. Bukele claims the deal serves as a release valve for U.S. prisons and proposes to house these individuals in El Salvador’s CECOT, a newly opened mega-prison notorious for harsh conditions. While the offer has sparked excitement about reducing crime in the U.S., legal experts warn that deporting American citizens poses significant constitutional challenges. Many human rights organizations criticize El Salvador's overcrowded prison system and the crackdown on gang violence.


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