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U.S. Secretary of State Discusses Immigration Plan with El Salvador President

San Salvador, El Salvador — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Monday evening that President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has extended an offer to accept deportees from the United States, regardless of their nationality. This includes individuals convicted of violent crimes within U.S. borders.

During a lengthy meeting at Bukele’s lakeside residence near San Salvador, Rubio remarked that this arrangement represents an “unprecedented” migratory agreement on a global scale. “We can send them and he will accommodate them in his jails,” Rubio stated regarding migrants of all nationalities. He further noted that Bukele’s offer extends to U.S. citizens and legal residents currently incarcerated in the U.S.

Rubio’s visit aimed to encourage the Salvadoran government to engage more rigorously with President Trump’s directives for a comprehensive immigration policy. In a post on X, Bukele affirmed the offer, mentioning that El Salvador’s commitment is to accept only “convicted criminals” and that the country would charge a fee that would be manageable for the U.S. yet significant enough to sustain its prison system.

Elon Musk, an influential figure working closely with the Trump administration, expressed his support for Bukele’s proposal on social media, stating, “Great idea!!”

Following Rubio’s comments, a U.S. official clarified that the Trump administration has no immediate plans to deport American citizens, though they acknowledged the significance of Bukele’s offer. The deportation of U.S. citizens presents substantial legal complications and challenges.

According to the State Department, El Salvador’s prison conditions are described as “overcrowded” and “dangerous.” Their official country information page notes severe inadequacies regarding sanitation, clean drinking water, ventilation, temperature regulation, and lighting in many facilities.

Rubio’s arrival in San Salvador coincided with a U.S.-funded deportation flight carrying 43 migrants from Panama to Colombia. This event followed a stern warning to Panama regarding the necessity to curtail Chinese influence at the Panama Canal, with indications that the U.S. would take action if necessary.

Migration issues dominated the discussions during Rubio’s Central American tour, which will also cover Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. This tour occurs against a backdrop of political instability in Washington regarding the nation’s primary foreign assistance agency.

The Trump administration has prioritized halting the flow of migrants into the U.S., collaborating with various Latin American countries to strengthen immigration enforcement and facilitate the acceptance of deportees.

The potential agreement Rubio discussed includes provisions for El Salvador to accept foreign nationals arrested for violating U.S. immigration laws, a setup similar to a “safe third country” arrangement. While this could potentially apply to Venezuelan gang members lacking repatriation options, Rubio emphasized Bukele’s openness to all nationalities.

Human rights advocates have raised alarms regarding El Salvador’s inconsistent treatment of asylum seekers and refugees, suggesting that the arrangement might not be restricted to violent offenders. Manuel Flores, secretary general of the leftist opposition party Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front, criticized the proposed “safe third country” plan, arguing it portrays the region as a “dumping ground” for U.S. migrants.

In addition to immigration discussions, Rubio and Bukele finalized a memorandum of understanding to advance cooperation in civil nuclear matters. This document could lead to formal agreements concerning nuclear power and medicine, similar to existing arrangements the U.S. has with other countries.

Rubio observed the deportation flight in Panama City, which transported a total of 43 individuals—32 men and 11 women—back to Colombia. The State Department states that such deportations act as a deterrent. Since the initiation of a relevant agreement, the U.S. has provided nearly $2.7 million in support to Panama to facilitate these deportation operations.

After the flight’s departure, Rubio acknowledged the challenges posed by mass migration. “Mass migration is one of the great tragedies in the modern era,” he remarked, noting its impact on various nations globally. He expressed empathy towards individuals seeking better situations, recognizing the hardships they often endure.

As Trump’s administration continues to exert pressure on nations unwilling to accept flights of their deported nationals from the U.S., some countries, like Panama, have shown greater cooperation, while others have faced sanctions for their positions on deportees.

Rubio’s trip occurs amid sweeping changes in U.S. foreign assistance policies, including a freeze affecting programs targeting illegal immigration and regional crime. The State Department indicated that Rubio has endorsed waivers for specific critical programs in the nations visited, although details remain sparse.

During Rubio’s absence, staff from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) were instructed to avoid the agency’s headquarters amid reports of impending closures, leading to layoffs and program terminations.

Rubio, while in San Salvador, stated that he was temporarily acting as the administrator of USAID but had delegated the daily responsibilities to another official to avoid conflicts of interest.

This restructuring means USAID no longer functions as an independent agency, a change that is likely to face legal scrutiny. Rubio stated that while many programs would continue under this new arrangement, the shift is necessary to ensure accountability to both the executive branch and Congress.

Regarding discussions with Panama about the Panama Canal, Rubio expressed optimism that the government would respond positively to U.S. concerns regarding Chinese involvement, acknowledging the sensitive nature of the issue for Panama. Contrastingly, Trump has expressed a more confrontational stance, vowing to take decisive action against Chinese influence in the region.

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