El Salvador asserts US responsibility for deported migrants

In March 2025, the government of El Salvador informed the United Nations that the responsibility for over 200 migrants sent to its CECOT mega-prison is with the United States. These migrants were allegedly deported due to their connections with violent gangs, particularly Venezuelan gang members accused of affiliation with Tren de Aragua. The Salvadoran government emphasized that its role was limited to implementing a bilateral cooperation mechanism, stating that they have not arrested or detained these individuals. The assertion directly contradicted claims from the Trump administration, which maintained that once the migrants were sent to El Salvador, they were no longer in U.S. custody. The legal framework surrounding these deportations is highly controversial, as it involved the invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. This 18th-century law has been criticized for allowing expedited removals without adequate due process. The Trump administration utilized this legislation to claim authority over Venezuelan nationals, alleging they posed a criminal threat to the U.S. and thereby justifying their swift deportation. El Salvador's officials declared that their country was merely providing infrastructure for the custody of those detained by foreign authorities. U.S. officials have faced mounting criticism for this lack of transparency and due process, with advocates arguing that many deported individuals had no criminal records and were in the U.S. legally. In the wake of El Salvador's statements, the discord between U.S. and Salvadoran authorities raises questions about international agreements, sovereignty, and humanitarian standards in the treatment of deportees. Advocacy groups like the ACLU have joined legal challenges against the U.S. government, arguing that procedural rights have been violated. Their filings highlight governmental withholding of information surrounding the arrangements and emphasize the need for accountability and legal recourse for deported migrants. As these legal battles unfold, El Salvador's role in housing deportees becomes even more complicated, particularly amidst allegations of poor prison conditions and human rights abuses in CECOT. Responses from various stakeholders, including U.S. immigration attorneys and humanitarian groups, reveal concerns about the potential for further unjust deportations and the long-term treatment of those affected. In this climate of tension, the intersection of U.S. immigration policy and human rights obligations invites scrutiny and debate, not only within the context of Salvadoran and U.S. relations but more broadly concerning the treatment of migrants globally. The situation exemplifies the complexities of immigration laws and the ripple effects of international policies on vulnerable populations, reinforcing the importance of upholding justice and dignity for those impacted by these measures.