Former President Donald Trump made headlines once again after suggesting the deportation and incarceration of violent American citizens in El Salvador. In a recent meeting with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele at the White House, Trump was caught on livestream telling Bukele, “Homegrowns are next,” implying that U.S.-born criminals could be sent to El Salvador’s controversial prison facilities.
The CECOT facility has previously been used by Trump’s administration to house non-U.S. citizens accused of gang affiliations, such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua members. One such detainee, Kilmar Abrego Garcia—a Maryland resident and father—was wrongfully deported and remains imprisoned in El Salvador, despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling ordering his return.
“You’ve gotta build about five more places,” Trump joked, referencing El Salvador’s mega-prison CECOT—the Terrorism Confinement Center—known for its harsh conditions. Bukele responded, “Yeah, we’ve got space,” as laughter erupted from others in the room. Trump pressed further, “It’s not big enough”
Legal experts swiftly condemned Trump’s new remarks, noting that deporting or incarcerating naturalized or U.S.-born citizens abroad would be unconstitutional.
However, Trump doubled down on the idea, telling reporters, “We also have homegrown criminals… that are absolute monsters,” citing violent acts committed on U.S. soil. Addressing Stephen Miller, a key figure in his immigration policy, Trump added, “You’ll have to be looking at the laws on that.”
Trump also mentioned Attorney General Pam Bondi is reviewing the legality of the proposal. “If it’s a homegrown criminal, I have no problem,” he said. “We’re studying the laws right now… I’m talking about violent people. Really bad people.”
Bukele responded in kind, expressing support:
“Mr. President, you have 350 million people to liberate. But to liberate 350 million people, you have to imprison some”
Trump’s remarks have sparked a fresh wave of debate over constitutional rights, international detention, and the extreme lengths to which U.S. immigration policy could be pushed under his leadership.
