US Allocates $6 Million to El Salvador for Detention of Venezuelan Gang Suspects

The Trump administration is paying $6 million to El Salvador to detain 238 Venezuelan gang suspects deported from the U.S. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that this cost is minimal compared to the expenses of U.S. incarceration. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele confirmed the suspects’ detention for up to one year and expressed that the financial burden on his country is considerable. Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act has drawn attention, highlighting dissatisfaction with the current administration’s immigration policies.

The Trump administration has allocated approximately $6 million to El Salvador for the jailing of 238 Venezuelan gang suspects who were deported. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted that this cost is minimal compared to the expense of housing these individuals in U.S. prisons, referring to it as “pennies on the dollar”.

Leavitt remarked on the situation by quoting lyrics from the popular song “Closing Time,” indicating that while the deportees are being removed from the U.S., they will not be left without a destination. These individuals are linked to the Tren de Aragua, which was recently designated by Trump as a foreign terrorist organization. Their deportation faced legal obstacles as a federal judge tried to halt their return to El Salvador.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele stated on social media that the suspects had been transferred to the Terrorism Confinement Center for a renewable year-long detention period. He noted that while the U.S. government is paying a relatively low fee for their detention, the financial burden on El Salvador will be significant. Bukele’s administration has pursued rigorous measures to imprison criminals, particularly those affiliated with gangs like MS-13.

The deportation invoked the historical Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a law utilized for the first time since World War II. Trump expressed gratitude towards Bukele via Truth Social, criticizing the Biden administration and expressing his disapproval of their leadership regarding immigration and crime. He also indicated a willingness to consider the deportation of certain American citizens whose actions he deemed threatening.

In summary, the U.S. has opted to financially support El Salvador in housing Venezuelan gang suspects, citing substantial cost savings over domestic incarceration. While President Bukele has accepted these individuals for detention, he expressed that the financial implications for his country are notable. The legal and political ramifications of these deportations are underscored by Trump’s comments about the prior administration’s handling of immigration issues. This arrangement serves as a unique intersection of U.S. foreign policy, immigration enforcement, and international crime management, reflecting ongoing tensions surrounding criminality and national security.

Original Source: nypost.com