On March 26, 2025, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made a controversial visit to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), where she addressed the plight of migrants and illegal immigrants. This visit comes amid rising tensions surrounding U.S. immigration policies, particularly under the Trump administration, which has been accused of using extreme measures to tackle what it calls an invasion of gang members from Venezuela.
Noem's visit included a meeting with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, aimed at discussing strategies to increase deportation flights and the removal of violent criminals from the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) highlighted that this partnership allows the U.S. to send its own incarcerated terrorists back to El Salvador for detention.
Standing outside a packed cell block at CECOT, Noem delivered a stark warning to potential migrants: "If you come to our country illegally, this is one of the consequences you could face. First of all, do not come to our country illegally, or you will be removed and you will be prosecuted. But know that this facility is one of the tools in our toolkit that we will use if you commit crimes against the American people." This message was captured in a video that was later shared on social media.
The CECOT prison, which was opened by Bukele in 2023, has become notorious for its overcrowded and harsh conditions. It is designed to hold up to 40,000 inmates, with reports indicating that up to 70 men are crammed into single cells, sleeping on metal bunks without mattresses. Inmates are not allowed visits from family or legal representatives, raising concerns about their legal rights.
During her tour, Noem encountered Venezuelans who had been deported under the Trump administration's claims that they were gang members. Critics argue that many of these individuals were simply migrants with tattoos, not actual gang members. The Trump administration has been accused of using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to expedite the deportation of these individuals, effectively stripping them of their rights to a judicial hearing.
Legal experts have raised alarms about the legality of such deportations, noting that many of the deported Venezuelans do not have criminal records in the U.S. and have been left in a state of legal limbo in El Salvador. Enrique Anaya, a Salvadoran constitutional lawyer, stated, "They are in a legal limbo. What is the migration status of these people?" This sentiment is echoed by Napoleón Campos, another Salvadoran attorney, who questioned the legal basis for the detentions.
Noem's visit has drawn criticism from various quarters, particularly from liberal commentators who have accused her of hypocrisy for wearing a luxury $50,000 Rolex Daytona wristwatch while delivering her message to the inmates. Critics like Tim Miller of The Bulwark expressed outrage, stating, "This is the sickest s*** I have ever seen in my life oh my god." Others questioned the legality of the Trump administration's actions, with James Surowiecki asking, "What legal authority allows Trump to send undocumented migrants who have been convicted of no crime to rot in a prison in El Salvador?"
In stark contrast, supporters of Noem have praised her approach, with some referring to her as "Deportation Barbie" and contrasting her actions with those of former Vice President Kamala Harris. Fox News journalist Griff Jenkins noted, "This just feels different than Kamala Harris’ 'do not come' warning from Guatemala."
The backdrop to Noem's visit is a broader immigration crackdown that has seen the deportation of 261 individuals, including at least 21 members of the notorious MS-13 gang, to El Salvador on March 15, 2025. This operation has sparked legal challenges, with a federal appeals court upholding an order barring further deportations under the Alien Enemies Act until the legal questions surrounding the deportees' status are clarified.
As part of her three-day trip, Noem is also scheduled to visit Colombia and Mexico, where she will likely continue discussions on immigration and security cooperation. The U.S. has reportedly agreed to pay $6 million annually to keep the deported individuals at CECOT, a move that has raised eyebrows given the prison's reputation for human rights abuses.
While the Trump administration insists that it is acting to protect American citizens from violent criminals, critics argue that the methods employed are excessive and violate fundamental human rights. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing legal battles and public outcry over the treatment of deported migrants.
As Noem continues to advocate for stricter immigration policies, the implications of her visit to El Salvador and the treatment of deportees will likely resonate in the ongoing national debate over immigration reform and human rights.
