Experts warn that Trump’s suggestion to deport US citizens for imprisonment in El Salvador violates US law. On April 15, 2025, US Attorney General Pam Bondi faced questions regarding former President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to deport US citizens to El Salvador for imprisonment. When asked about the legality of the suggestion, Bondi declined to provide a clear response, sparking concern among legal experts who assert that the idea is both illegal and unconstitutional. Trump proposed the idea during a meeting in the Oval Office with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who has previously accepted deported individuals and housed them in a notorious facility known for its human rights violations. The former president suggested that US citizens convicted of violent crimes, such as assaulting the elderly or committing crimes on public transport, could be sent to El Salvador for incarceration. When questioned by Fox News host Jesse Watters about the legality of deporting US citizens, Bondi evaded a direct answer. She stated that the aim was to ensure safety in America, claiming that the directive would significantly reduce crime. She added that efforts would be made to keep these individuals imprisoned for as long as possible, even suggesting that additional prisons could be built in the US if necessary. The suggestion has faced significant criticism, with experts noting that there is no legal basis for deporting US citizens to another country. Erin Corcoran, a professor of immigration law at the University of Notre Dame, explained that US law does not …
