El Salvador offers to take US deportees, including violent criminals

El Salvador’s president has reportedly made an unprecedented offer to accept deportees of any nationality from the U.S., including convicted criminals who are U.S. citizens or legal residents. 

What we know:

Rubio announced the proposal following a meeting with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, though a U.S. official later clarified that the administration has no current plans to deport American citizens.

What we don't know:

It remains unclear how El Salvador would house and process deported individuals, particularly if they are non-Salvadoran nationals. 

The legal and logistical challenges of deporting U.S. citizens to a foreign country would also likely face significant court challenges.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) and El Salvador's Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco shake hands after signing a memorandum of understanding regarding civil nuclear cooperation between their countries at the Intercontinental Real Hotel in S (Photo by MARK SCHIEFELBEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

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The proposal marks a dramatic shift in U.S. immigration policy, potentially allowing for the deportation of non-Salvadoran migrants to El Salvador under a "safe third country" agreement. 

The offer to accept U.S. citizens convicted of violent crimes raises human rights concerns and could face legal obstacles.

The Trump administration has prioritized stricter immigration enforcement, working with Central American nations to tighten border security and accept deportees. 

The proposal follows growing pressure from the administration on regional partners to curb migration to the U.S.

Rubio is set to continue his tour across Central America, pushing for stronger immigration agreements with other countries. Meanwhile, officials in Washington will likely evaluate the feasibility and legality of Bukele’s proposal.