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

The U.S. is paying approximately $6 million to El Salvador to detain 238 Venezuelan gang suspects deported under the Trump administration. This decision emphasizes financial savings for the U.S. compared to domestic detention costs, while raising issues about responsibility and crime policies. Additionally, Trump’s comments spotlight ongoing political debates regarding crime and immigration reform.

The Trump administration is allocating approximately $6 million to El Salvador for the detention of 238 Venezuelan gang suspects who were deported recently. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that this amount is significantly less than the cost of housing these individuals in maximum security prisons in the United States, referring to it as “pennies on the dollar.”

Leavitt remarked on the deportees’ status by quoting song lyrics, stating they “don’t have to go home, but you can’t stay here.” The deportees are reportedly linked to Tren de Aragua, which has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the former President Trump. A federal judge had previously attempted to order the flight to return to the United States with the inmates.

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador announced that the suspects will be housed in the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) for a renewable period of one year. Bukele noted that while the U.S. would pay a nominal fee for their detention, the burden would be significant for El Salvador, a country already using strict measures against alleged criminals.

In a recent Truth Social post, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to facilitate the deportation and expressed gratitude towards Bukele, describing the deportees as “monsters” sent to the U.S. and criticizing the current administration. He indicated a willingness to consider deporting U.S. citizens linked to crime as well.

In conclusion, the U.S. administration’s decision to pay El Salvador $6 million for the detention of Venezuelan gang suspects highlights the nation’s approach to immigration and crime. This strategy, characterized by significant financial implications for El Salvador, raises questions about the long-term effectiveness of such measures. Moreover, the political context surrounding the deportation underscores ongoing tensions between domestic and foreign criminal justice policies.

Original Source: nypost.com