After sending violent gang members there to face harsh consequences for their crimes, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem toured El Salvador’s infamous CECOT prison.
Watch the video down below.
The Trump administration’s tough stance on illegal immigration has been reflected in the 238 Venezuelan gang members already sent to this maximum-security facility.
Liberal groups are desperately fighting these deportations while the administration pushes forward with its mission to remove dangerous criminals from American streets.
Secretary Noem’s visit to El Salvador’s “mega-prison” marks a significant step in the Trump administration’s enforcement of immigration laws.
The CECOT facility currently houses 250 suspected members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua and MS-13 gangs alongside 15,000 other inmates.
During her tour, Noem observed firsthand the harsh conditions designed specifically to contain violent criminals deemed beyond rehabilitation.
The Trump administration has paid El Salvador $6 million to accept these detainees for at least one year of incarceration.
This arrangement allows the U.S. to remove dangerous criminal aliens from American communities while supporting El Salvador’s tough approach to gang violence.
Noem’s visit included meetings with El Salvadoran officials to potentially expand the agreement and accommodate more deportees.
Standing inside the prison known for its rough conditions, Noem delivered a crystal-clear message to illegal aliens currently in the United States.
She said, “President Trump and I have a clear message to criminal illegal aliens: LEAVE NOW. If you do not leave, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and you could end up in this El Salvadorian prison.”
“If you come to our country illegally, this is one of the consequences you could face,” Noem warned.
The deportations utilize the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a law designed to protect American national security.
Predictably, the ACLU and Democracy Forward have filed lawsuits attempting to block these deportations, claiming the administration is “improperly attempting to bypass the procedures and protections in immigration law.”
A federal appeals court in D.C. denied the administration’s request to lift a restraining order blocking additional deportations, but the administration has proceeded despite this legal obstacle.
Critics claim that some deported individuals may not have committed crimes, arguing that tattoos used to identify gang members could be cultural symbols rather than gang affiliations.
However, law enforcement experts have long recognized distinctive tattoos as key identifiers for gang membership.
The administration maintains that protecting American communities from violent criminal organizations takes priority over these concerns.
CECOT prison opened in 2023 and has gained international attention for its strict approach to incarceration. Inmates face minimal amenities and tight security measures.
El Salvador’s Minister of Justice has plainly stated that these inmates are not expected to reintegrate into society, reflecting the serious nature of their crimes and the threat they pose.
The facility represents El Salvador’s commitment to controlling gang violence that has plagued the country for decades.
Secretary Noem’s Latin America tour will continue with visits to Colombia and Mexico as part of the administration’s strategy to combat illegal immigration.
By strengthening partnerships with countries willing to accept deportees, the Trump administration is creating real consequences for those who violate American immigration laws and threaten public safety.
