U.S. Allocates $6 Million for Detention of Venezuelan Gang Suspects in El Salvador

The Trump administration is funding El Salvador with $6 million to detain 238 Venezuelan gang suspects. This move was presented as economical compared to domestic detention costs. The suspects are affiliated with a designated terrorist organization. Trump has invoked historical legislation to facilitate these deportations and expressed support for harsh measures against crime.

The Trump administration has allocated approximately $6 million to El Salvador for the detention of 238 Venezuelan gang suspects recently deported. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that this expenditure is minimal compared to the potential cost of housing these individuals in high-security facilities in the United States. She remarked that it is, “pennies on the dollar in comparison to the cost of life… for the American taxpayer.”

Leavitt quoted a popular song by saying, “They don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here,” to highlight that the deported suspects would no longer remain in the U.S.

The deportees are believed to have connections with Tren de Aragua, a criminal organization that was recently labeled a foreign terrorist group by Trump. As events unfolded, a federal judge attempted to halt the deportation flight, which had already taken off with the suspects on board.

Upon their arrival, El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, announced on social media that the suspects were transferred to a specialized detention facility for a renewable year-long period. Bukele noted that although the United States pays a relatively low fee for their detention, the burden is significant for El Salvador.

Utilizing the Alien Enemies Act from 1798, Trump has set a historical precedent by deporting these individuals, a move not executed since World War II. In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed gratitude to President Bukele, blaming current administration issues on what he termed, “incompetent Democrat leadership.”

Additionally, Trump has suggested the possibility of deporting American criminals, highlighting specific cases such as those involved in violent subway incidents in New York, if such actions were legally viable.

In summary, the Trump administration’s decision to pay $6 million for the detention of Venezuelan gang suspects in El Salvador reflects both a financial strategy and a departure from conventional domestic criminal management. The choice to invoke the Alien Enemies Act marks a significant legal maneuver, with implications for U.S. immigration policy and international cooperation in handling transnational crime. President Trump’s comments illustrate a broader narrative surrounding criminal accountability and potential reforms.

Original Source: nypost.com