El Salvador to Double Mega-Prison Capacity with U.S. Support

El Salvador plans to expand its Terrorism Confinement Center from 40,000 to 80,000 inmates, with President Trump endorsing the move as a deportation solution. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the prison as a long-term strategy, with the U.S. paying $6 million to house over 250 deportees. President Nayib Bukele offered to outsource part of the U.S. prison system for a fee, signaling deeper cooperation.

The Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT, is the world’s largest prison, designed to hold gang members and violent criminals. El Salvador’s expansion aims to accommodate more deportees from the U.S.

President Trump urged Bukele to build additional mega-prisons, reflecting his administration’s focus on deporting undocumented immigrants. The U.S. has already sent hundreds of alleged gang members to CECOT.

Noem’s statement suggests the U.S. views El Salvador’s prison as a permanent solution for deportees, rather than repatriating them. This arrangement has sparked debates over human rights and international law.

Bukele’s offer to house U.S. prisoners for a fee aligns with his tough-on-crime policies, which have reduced gang violence in El Salvador. The $6 million payment covers 250 deportees, indicating a cost-sharing model.

Deportation has been a cornerstone of U.S. immigration policy, with federal laws allowing removal of undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes. The U.S.-El Salvador deal raises questions about the treatment of deportees in CECOT.

Supporters of the prison expansion argue it deters crime and supports U.S. deportation goals efficiently. Critics worry about overcrowding, inhumane conditions, and the ethics of outsourcing incarceration.

Opinions on the deal vary, with some praising the cost-effective approach to managing deportees. Others fear it normalizes mass incarceration and risks violating detainees’ rights abroad.