Strengthening Ties: Bukele and Trump's Immigration Agenda at the White House
On Monday, US President Donald Trump welcomed Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to the White House, fostering a crucial alliance as Trump's administration intensifies its crackdown on immigration. This partnership has seen the US deport over 200 immigrants, primarily Venezuelans accused of gang affiliations, to El Salvador, where they are detained in a maximum-security facility near San Salvador.
The US government has yet to provide substantial evidence for its claims regarding the gang memberships of these individuals and has withheld their names from the public. Families and legal representatives of the detainees assert that many are innocent and have not been afforded an opportunity to contest the allegations in court.
One notable case raising eyebrows is that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a resident of Maryland. He was wrongfully deported to El Salvador despite a protection order against his expulsion. The US administration has since confirmed that he is still in the mega prison, even as federal courts demand his return. The Supreme Court recently mandated that the governing administration must ensure Abrego Garcia's safe return to the US, a topic that is expected to be addressed in the upcoming meeting between Trump and Bukele.
The collaboration between the two leaders has been lauded by Trump and his associates for Bukele's efforts in tackling illegal immigration and aiding the eradication of what they classify as terrorist organizations. Furthermore, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hinted last weekend that another ten individuals reportedly part of the MS13 and Tren de Aragua gangs were sent back to El Salvador as part of these efforts.
Bukele's administration has gained popularity due to its aggressive stance against gang violence in El Salvador that resulted in the arrests of over 84,000 individuals during a three-year crackdown. However, human rights organizations have raised concerns about due process violations and harsh conditions within the prisons, citing allegations of torture and mistreatment.
In a deal between the US and El Salvador, Bukele's government stands to receive $6 million (approximately 53 million in local currency) to facilitate the imprisonment of alleged members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang. Notably, when a US federal judge ordered the halt of a deportation flight, Bukele infamously remarked online, "Oopsie, too late."
As the leaders meet, it's anticipated that Bukele may also advocate for relief from a 10% tariff imposed by the Trump administration, arguing its detrimental impact on El Salvador's economy—an economy Bukele is striving to uplift.
Since assuming office in June 2019 amidst Trump's first term, Bukele's administration has facilitated a significant decline in Salvadorans attempting to migrate northward, aligning with Trump's priorities concerning immigration.
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