In a controversial new move, President Donald Trump has deported migrants to a newly constructed mega prison in El Salvador following a series of nationwide raids this fall.
Immigration became one of the most divisive issues this year as the administration pursued aggressive enforcement measures. Since January 2025, coordinated raids across major U.S. cities led to thousands of arrests, with critics arguing they sowed fear in immigrant communities.
Under a bilateral security agreement signed earlier in 2025, the El Salvador facility — built near San Miguel — can house up to 10,000 detainees. Migrants apprehended inland and at the southern border have been flown overseas, prompting concerns over due process and access to legal counsel.
Human rights advocates warn that exporting migrants to a foreign prison undermines international asylum norms. A coalition of NGOs described the policy as 'a troubling shift away from fundamental protections.'
El Salvador authorities have welcomed the detention pact as part of a broader regional security strategy, while some international observers caution that diplomatic tensions could rise. For migrants and their families, the new policy has introduced uncertainty and logistical hurdles, as many face prolonged stays far from home.
As debate intensifies in Washington and beyond, the move is likely to shape discussions on immigration policy and U.S. foreign relations in the coming months.
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Trump sends migrants to El Salvador mega prison after nationwide raids
cgtn.com
