The first group of deported Venezuelan gang members has arrived at El Salvador’s CECOT mega-prison, after Donald Trump followed through on his controversial order despite a federal judge’s ruling against it. The 238 alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang were flown out of the US, with the administration arguing the deportation was already underway when the court attempted to block it.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele confirmed their arrival, sharing photos of the inmates being processed into the maximum-security prison. He stated that the US paid only a small fee for their transfer but insisted the operation would help make both countries safer. Trump, in turn, praised Bukele on Truth Social, calling the gang members “monsters” sent into the US by Biden’s policies and thanking El Salvador for handling the situation.
The deportation was carried out under a 1798 wartime law, which the Trump administration used to justify the immediate removal of individuals deemed national security threats. The White House defended the move, arguing that a single judge should not have the power to override foreign policy decisions. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also confirmed that more deportations are planned for gang members identified under the new policy.
Today, the first 238 members of the Venezuelan criminal organization, Tren de Aragua, arrived in our country. They were immediately transferred to CECOT, the Terrorism Confinement Center, for a period of one year (renewable).
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) March 16, 2025
The United States will pay a very low fee for them,… pic.twitter.com/tfsi8cgpD6
Critics have raised concerns about the conditions at CECOT, which has been described as one of the most brutal prisons in the world, where inmates face harsh treatment, overcrowding, and extreme restrictions. International human rights groups have warned that deporting individuals to such facilities could spark legal challenges, but Trump’s administration appears committed to continuing the removals.
