The Trump administration’s decision to deport over 200 alleged Tren de Aragua members to El Salvador has ignited controversy, with questions arising over whether the president defied a federal judge’s order.
The administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a rarely used wartime law, to justify the deportations. However, no public evidence has been provided linking the deported Venezuelans to criminal activity.
Human rights advocates warn that the deportees legal rights were violated as they were transferred to the CECOT, a mega-prison established by El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele for his crackdown on gangs in the country. The facility, according to the Associated Press, can hold up to 40,000 inmates; up to 70 people are housed in a single cell.
See photos of the mega-prison where deportees are now being held.