President Donald Trump is meeting with El Salvador’s leader Nayib Bukele at the White House to strengthen a partnership that’s cracking down on illegal immigration and violent crime. The U.S. is sending hundreds of suspected gang members to El Salvador’s prisons, with taxpayers saving millions compared to housing them here. Trump calls Bukele’s approach a “fantastic job” that keeps Americans safer by keeping dangerous criminals out of U.S. communities.
The U.S. has deported over 200 Venezuelan immigrants accused of gang ties to El Salvador’s maximum-security prison. Trump officials say these individuals are linked to groups like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, which threaten U.S. cities. While critics question the evidence, the administration emphasizes that removing these threats is a top priority. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised El Salvador for taking in “the worst people you’ll ever encounter.”
Bukele’s tough policies have crushed gang violence in El Salvador, making streets safer for both Salvadorans and Americans. His government has arrested 84,000 gang members, cutting murder rates and stopping mass migration north. This success story shows how strong leadership can restore order. The Trump administration sees El Salvador as a model for how other nations should handle security challenges.
The deal costs U.S. taxpayers just $6 million to imprison 300 gang suspects in El Salvador for a year—far cheaper than U.S. detention. This smart spending lets America focus resources on border security instead of housing foreign criminals. Bukele joked “oopsie…too late” when a judge tried to stop one deportation flight, showing his commitment to the partnership.
A rare mistake occurred when a Maryland man was wrongly sent to El Salvador’s prison. Courts ordered his return, but the administration says it’s up to El Salvador to release him first. Officials stress that this error doesn’t overshadow the program’s overall success in deporting violent offenders. The focus remains on protecting U.S. families from crime.
The Supreme Court backed Trump’s use of a 1798 law to deport gang members, ensuring our laws keep pace with modern threats. This ruling validates the administration’s strategy to use every tool available to secure the border. Legal experts on the right argue this approach is essential to stop cartels and gangs from exploiting weak immigration policies.
Bukele may ask Trump to lift a 10% tariff on El Salvador to help its economy grow. A stronger Salvadoran economy means fewer people fleeing to the U.S. border. The State Department recently upgraded El Salvador’s travel safety rating, proving the country’s turnaround under Bukele’s leadership.
This partnership sets a new standard for international cooperation on security and immigration. By working with allies like Bukele, the U.S. can enforce its laws, defend its borders, and put American safety first. The meeting highlights how bold policies and strong alliances can deliver real results.
