Overview of El Salvador’s Mega-Prison and Its Impact on Immigration Policy
El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) has become central to the country’s anti-crime efforts. Recently, under a $6 million agreement with the Trump administration, hundreds of immigrants alleged to belong to the Tren de Aragua gang were transferred there. The CECOT, criticized for its harsh conditions and human rights violations, raises serious concerns over deportation legality and treatment of detainees.
El Salvador’s mega-prison, the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), has become a focal point of the country’s aggressive anti-crime measures and a recent tool in U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. On March 16, 2025, hundreds of immigrants were transferred there as part of a $6 million agreement between the Trump administration and President Nayib Bukele’s government. The immigrants are reported to be associated with the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, despite a judicial order temporarily halting their deportation.
The CECOT was inaugurated in March 2023 following Bukele’s intensified campaign against gang violence. Located in Tecoluca, approximately 72 kilometers east of the capital, the facility boasts eight pavilions designed to accommodate up to 40,000 inmates in cells housing 65 to 70 individuals. Inmates at CECOT face significant restrictions: they are not allowed visits, outdoor activities, or educational programs, and they only occasionally participate in motivational talks led by trusted prisoners.
El Salvador’s prison population has surged dramatically, reportedly housing around 110,000 individuals by March 2024 according to Cristosal, a human rights organization. This number exceeds prior figures, reflecting a major increase since Bukele initiated his policy aimed at combating crime. Allegations of human rights abuses have emerged, including deaths in custody and lack of medical care, raising international concern over the conditions within these facilities.
The deportation of the migrants was executed under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, a statute invoked by Trump to permit extraordinary powers for detaining foreign individuals amid claims that the Tren de Aragua gang posed a significant threat. The legality of these deportations remains questionable, as the Trump administration has not substantiated allegations against the individuals deported or provided clarity on the nature of their supposed gang affiliations. Publicly released footage displayed the disturbing treatment of the deportees upon their arrival, illustrating the harsh realities they faced in their transfer to the CECOT.
In summary, El Salvador’s mega-prison serves as a critical element of the government’s stringent anti-crime strategy and a controversial aspect of U.S. immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The conditions within CECOT raise significant human rights concerns, and the legal justifications for deportations remain contentious. As the situation evolves, the implications for both the individuals affected and the broader bilateral relations between the U.S. and El Salvador continue to warrant attention.
Original Source: apnews.com
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