White House Wants to Deport US Citizens Who Committed Serious Crimes

White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said on April 8 that President Donald Trump is exploring legal options to deport U.S. citizens to El Salvador. The administration has already reached an agreement to house deported immigrants in a prison known for human rights abuses, according to HuffPost.

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Leavitt suggested the measures would be limited to those who have committed serious crimes, but Trump has mentioned the possibility of sending people convicted of lesser offenses overseas.

Any such move by the Trump administration would certainly be challenged in court. It is unclear what legal authority could be used to justify expelling U.S. citizens from their home country.

On the subject: El Salvador will grant citizenship to 5000 highly qualified specialists

"These are violent, hardened criminals who have repeatedly violated the laws of our country. These are violent repeat offenders roaming the streets of America," Leavitt told reporters at a press briefing.

Trump told reporters on April 6 aboard Air Force One that he “likes” the idea of ​​expelling U.S. citizens, saying he would be “honored” to send them to El Salvador President Nayib Bukele. Trump floated the idea in March, when Tesla vehicles were being vandalized and set on fire in protest of CEO Elon Musk’s heavy-handed meddling in the Trump administration.

"I look forward to seeing these sick terrorist hooligans get 20 year prison sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla," Trump tweeted at the time. "Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have recently become famous for their excellent conditions!"

The administration argues that placing people in El Salvador saves taxpayers money.

Several planeloads of immigrants were flown to El Salvador last month. They remain in detention while a federal court hears a lawsuit challenging their deportation. The immigrants, mostly Venezuelan men, were accused of gang membership and deported without a chance to defend themselves. Court documents and reports that emerged after their removal suggest many may be falling victim to the very gangs Trump accused them of being associated with.

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Trump used the Alien Enemy Act of 1798 to send these immigrants to El Salvador, officially classifying the Tren de Aragua gang as a hostile force and the immigrants as its members.

It is unclear whether he will try to use the same law or other powers to remove U.S. citizens.
Critics say the White House administration's policy is a clear violation of due process guarantees enshrined in the Constitution.

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