Over the weekend, the U.S. government deported ten individuals to El Salvador. Officials say they are members of violent gangs, including MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. Secretary of State Marco Rubio made the announcement on X (formerly Twitter), calling the move part of a larger plan to stop gang violence. Both groups are listed by the U.S. as foreign terrorist organizations.
Rubio praised the strong partnership between former President Donald Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. He called their cooperation a good example of teamwork for regional safety. Trump, who is expected to meet Bukele at the White House soon, also thanked the Salvadoran leader for accepting the deportees. He said the two leaders share the goal of fighting criminal groups that threaten both countries.
Critics Raise Serious Concerns Over Evidence and Due Process
While some support the deportations, others are sounding the alarm. Human rights groups and legal experts say the U.S. may be acting too fast. They claim the government is using weak or unclear evidence to label people as gang members. In some cases, tattoos or rumors are the only proof used.
One case in particular is getting attention. Kilmar Ábrego García, a 29-year-old man married to a U.S. citizen, was deported despite having no criminal record. He is now locked up in a high-security prison in El Salvador. So far, U.S. officials have not said how they plan to handle his case or if they will review it.
Legal experts say this shows why fair trials are important. “We can’t assume guilt based on appearance or background,” said Maria Flores, a civil rights lawyer in Los Angeles. “People deserve a chance to defend themselves.”
18th-Century Law Used to Justify Deportations
The deportations are based on the Alien Enemies Act, a law from 1798. The act was made for use during wartime. It gives the U.S. the power to deport people from countries seen as enemies. Under this law, the government does not need to hold a trial.
The Trump administration has brought this law back into use. It has mostly been used to target migrants from Venezuela and Central America. This has caused debate. Some say the law is too old and does not match modern ideas of justice.
Recently, the Supreme Court refused to hear a case that challenged the law. However, the court did not say if the law is constitutional or not. It simply dismissed the case on technical grounds. This leaves many questions unanswered.
Political Timing and Human Rights Issues
Some people believe the deportations were timed to boost Trump and Bukele’s image before their upcoming meeting. “It looks like a political move,” said Ana Martínez, a human rights activist in San Salvador. “These actions affect real people and families. We should not use them as political tools.”
Groups such as Human Rights Watch and the ACLU are asking for clearer rules. They want every person facing deportation to get a fair hearing and access to a lawyer. They also call for better review of the evidence used in these cases.
Gang Violence Is a Real Issue in El Salvador
MS-13 and Tren de Aragua are well-known gangs in Latin America. They are linked to crimes such as murder, drug trafficking, and extortion. President Bukele has led a tough campaign against these groups. His strict policies have won praise from some and criticism from others.
Since 2022, Bukele has declared a state of emergency in El Salvador. Thousands of suspected gang members have been arrested. While many people feel safer, others worry about abuses of power. Reports say that some arrests are based on little or no evidence.
Experts Call for Balance Between Safety and Rights
Trump and Rubio argue that these deportations help protect the U.S. from gang-related crime. But critics warn that rushing these actions can harm innocent people.
“We must protect national security, but we also have to protect human rights,” said law professor Ethan James. “Deporting someone without a fair process goes against American values.”
Calls for reform are growing. Lawmakers and civil rights groups want Congress to review the use of the Alien Enemies Act. They also want new laws that give non-citizens a chance to defend themselves in court before removal.
The recent deportations have sparked a new debate about law, justice, and human rights. As Trump and Bukele prepare to meet, their actions will be watched closely. Whether this partnership brings more safety or more questions remains to be seen.