US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announces the nation's willingness to accept dangerous criminals from American jails, amidst a backdrop of significant crime reduction measures in El Salvador.
El Salvador Proposes to Host US Criminals and Unlawful Migrants
El Salvador Proposes to Host US Criminals and Unlawful Migrants
A surprising offer from El Salvador could shift the dynamics of US immigration policy.
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has made headlines after presenting a controversial proposal to the United States. During a meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Lake Coatepeque, Bukele offered to accept "dangerous criminals" held in American prisons, including those with US citizenship. Rubio expressed the US's profound gratitude for such an unprecedented gesture, describing it as an unmatched offer of international friendship.
Not only is Bukele willing to house American criminals, but he also proposed to deport migrants of any nationality who are unlawfully in the US and have committed crimes. The Secretary of State praised Bukele's tough on crime policies, which have purportedly decreased crime rates significantly in El Salvador—previously labeled the murder capital of the world. However, these policies have drawn criticism from human rights advocates for their heavy-handed nature.
"This is a monumental step for both nations," Rubio conveyed during the conference, citing Bukele's willingness to accept back Salvadoran citizens as well as migrants from Latin America, hinting at a focus on notorious gang affiliations like MS-13. Efforts to remove unlawful migrants have intensified under President Trump's administration, prompting a series of military enhancements at the US-Mexico border.
Bukele made waves on social media with his proposal to "outsource part of its prison system," suggesting that the US compensate El Salvador for housing convicted criminals in a new mega-prison facility. This comes in the wake of decriminalization efforts that have seen up to 75,000 arrests made during extended emergency measures, alarming human rights organizations.
While Bukele's initiatives have garnered him heightened popularity, they have raised concerns regarding human rights violations, as noted by groups such as Amnesty International. The El Salvador leader aims to foster improved relations with the US while tackling corruption and gang violence head-on.
Not only is Bukele willing to house American criminals, but he also proposed to deport migrants of any nationality who are unlawfully in the US and have committed crimes. The Secretary of State praised Bukele's tough on crime policies, which have purportedly decreased crime rates significantly in El Salvador—previously labeled the murder capital of the world. However, these policies have drawn criticism from human rights advocates for their heavy-handed nature.
"This is a monumental step for both nations," Rubio conveyed during the conference, citing Bukele's willingness to accept back Salvadoran citizens as well as migrants from Latin America, hinting at a focus on notorious gang affiliations like MS-13. Efforts to remove unlawful migrants have intensified under President Trump's administration, prompting a series of military enhancements at the US-Mexico border.
Bukele made waves on social media with his proposal to "outsource part of its prison system," suggesting that the US compensate El Salvador for housing convicted criminals in a new mega-prison facility. This comes in the wake of decriminalization efforts that have seen up to 75,000 arrests made during extended emergency measures, alarming human rights organizations.
While Bukele's initiatives have garnered him heightened popularity, they have raised concerns regarding human rights violations, as noted by groups such as Amnesty International. The El Salvador leader aims to foster improved relations with the US while tackling corruption and gang violence head-on.
