President Donald Trump is currently assessing the legality of a proposal to deport U.S. citizens to prisons in Central American nations, according to a statement from the White House on Tuesday.
When pressed by reporters on whether Trump has the authority to relocate Americans to foreign facilities, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt remarked, “It’s another question that the president has raised.” She confirmed that he is exploring the legal implications of such action.
“It’s a legal question that the president is looking into,” Leavitt added, indicating that further details would emerge as the review progresses.
Leavitt noted that Trump would only consider this measure for the most “violent, egregious, repeat offenders” of crime, stating, “Nobody in this room wants living in their communities.”
As for the administration’s legal stance, Leavitt said, “We’re looking at it, and when I have more to share, I certainly will.”
Previously, the Trump administration has deported over 200 alleged foreign gang members to El Salvador, where they are currently incarcerated.
During a press conference on Monday, Trump expressed his desire to send “homegrown criminals” to a notorious prison in El Salvador, where some non-citizens have already been deported.
Trump administration officials briefed reporters that they were unable to persuade El Salvador to repatriate Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported due to an admitted administrative error.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who appeared alongside Trump during the press event, stated that he would not release Abrego Garcia, whom the U.S. claims is affiliated with the MS-13 gang. Garcia’s legal representatives, however, deny these allegations.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a federal district court ruling that mandated the Trump administration to facilitate Garcia’s return.
