Alleged Gang Members Deported to El Salvador
Seventeen alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang were transferred to El Salvador by the U.S. military, following orders from the Trump administration. These individuals were moved from Guantanamo Bay on a Sunday night. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on X: “These criminals will no longer terrorize our communities and citizens.”
Keivis Jesus Arrechedera Vasquez, a Venezuelan national and alleged key figure in the Tren de Aragua, was among those transferred. Senior White House officials reported he faced two criminal charges related to drug dealings. Six other purported gang members accompanied him.
This transfer adhered to legal protocols under Title 8, not the Alien Enemies Act. This approach ensured federal judges couldn’t object to the planes’ departure. Deportation orders were properly issued, avoiding prolonged court proceedings.
President Donald Trump congratulated El Salvador’s Nayib Bukele on Truth Social, attributing the gang’s U.S. entry to the previous administration. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced on Fox News: the Trump administration is targeting illegal alien criminals.
These individuals were sent to the Terrorism Confinement Center, a result of President Bukele’s crackdown on gangs. Bukele described the group as including “confirmed murderers and high-profile offenders.”
Rubio’s approval suggests a strategy to classify gangs as terrorist groups and deport them, aiming to eliminate community threats. This action demonstrates a commitment to removing dangers posed by illegal criminal aliens.
Legal Implications and Administration’s Stance
The Trump administration utilized Title 8, a provision for deporting foreign nationals, to avoid potential legal obstacles. Unlike the Alien Enemies Act, Title 8 faces less judicial scrutiny and potential blockage. This method ensures deportations occur within established legal frameworks.
The Alien Enemies Act, an 18th-century statute, remains embroiled in legal challenges. U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg extended a restraining order against its use, preventing its deployment for swift deportation of alleged gang members. This decision reflects the judicial system’s role in maintaining checks and balances.
Trump expressed dissatisfaction with this extension on Truth Social, criticizing what he views as interference by “radical left judges” in his administration’s national security efforts.
As this strategy unfolds, the judiciary remains vigilant in maintaining the balance of power. The Trump administration, undeterred by obstacles, maintains its focus on public safety and national security priorities. Through Title 8, the administration shows its ability to adapt within legal constraints while pursuing its objectives, adhering to the constitutional principles fundamental to this republic.
Reactions from U.S. and El Salvadoran Officials
President Donald Trump thanked El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele on Truth Social for accepting the deportees, framing it as crucial for U.S. security. Trump praised the relationship between both nations in addressing gang violence, highlighting Bukele’s strong stance against gangs in El Salvador and their shared commitment to tackling transnational crime.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized the administration’s determination to strengthen national safety, stating that removing these individuals is a concrete step toward ensuring American citizens’ security. Leavitt stressed that under Trump’s leadership, the U.S. remains alert to threats from criminal illegal aliens, advocating for deportation as a necessary aspect of national security policy.
President Nayib Bukele expressed a firm approach to gang violence, embracing the acceptance of deportees as part of his ongoing campaign against criminal organizations. Bukele’s stance is characterized by a commitment to reducing gang influence in El Salvador, with the Terrorism Confinement Center exemplifying his administration’s zero-tolerance policy.
Bilateral Cooperation
The U.S.-El Salvador collaboration demonstrates a coordinated international effort, reflecting shared interests in combating organized crime. This bilateral cooperation represents a strong approach to ensuring community safety and upholding security principles essential to both countries’ interests.
"It was approximately $6 million, to El Salvador, for the detention of these foreign terrorists," Leavitt told reporters. "And I would point out that is pennies on the dollar in comparison to the cost of life, and the cost it would impose on the American taxpayer to house these terrorists in maximum security prisons here in the United States of America."
This statement underscores the financial considerations behind the deportation strategy, framing it as a cost-effective measure for U.S. taxpayers.
- El Salvador presidential press office. Photo of prison guards transferring deportees from the U.S. to the Terrorism Confinement Center. AP; 2024.
- APHOTOGRAFIA. Photo of President of El Salvador Nayib Bukele casting his vote. Getty Images; 2024.
- Melendez S. Photo of Detention Center Against Terrorism (CECOT) in Tecoluca, El Salvador. AP; 2023.