Trump and Bukele Discuss Deportations, CECOT Prison Amid Controversy Over Mistaken Deportation

In April 2025, President Donald Trump met with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele at the White House. Discussions centered on migrant deportations, trade, and security cooperation. The meeting occurred amidst controversy surrounding the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and concerns over human rights at El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison.

Key Points of Discussion

Trump and Bukele addressed the housing of migrants deported from the U.S. in CECOT. They also discussed the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported despite a court order protecting him from being sent to El Salvador due to gang persecution fears. The Supreme Court had ordered the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return, but El Salvador President Bukele refused to release Abrego Garcia.

Trump praised Bukele's cooperation in accepting individuals into El Salvador's custody, including alleged gang members. Concerns about human rights abuses at CECOT were raised, with reports of inhumane conditions and denial of due process. Human rights organizations have documented torture, ill-treatment, and incommunicado detention in El Salvador prisons, including CECOT.

Deportation Policies and CECOT Mega-Prison

The Trump administration has deported alleged gang members to El Salvador, including Venezuelans. The possibility of sending U.S. citizens convicted of violent crimes to El Salvador's prisons was also discussed. CECOT, a mega-prison with a capacity for tens of thousands of inmates, has drawn international scrutiny over its conditions and human rights implications.

The U.S. has a $6 million deal with El Salvador to house deportees. Concerns persist regarding due process and fair trials for those imprisoned in CECOT. The situation has sparked legal battles and protests, with human rights groups condemning the conditions and calling for the return of individuals like Abrego Garcia.