US deports 10 more alleged gang members to El Salvador ahead of Bukele-Trump meet

The United States has deported another 10 individuals it claims are gang members to El Salvador, according to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The deportations, which took place the night before El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele was set to visit the White House, involved members of the MS-13 and Tren de Aragua gangs, which the US labels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations.

Rubio appreciated President Trump's and Bukele's collaboration, describing it as a model for security and prosperity in the region.

Trump is set to meet Bukele on Monday. In a statement on Saturday, Trump expressed his appreciation for Bukele's cooperation, especially in accepting deported individuals, which he referred to as "enemy aliens." He highlighted the joint efforts of the US and El Salvador in combating terrorist organizations.

While the US government has repeatedly labeled detained immigrants as gang members, critics argue that these claims have not been substantiated in court.

Hundreds of Venezuelans have been deported to a prison in El Salvador under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, however, their families and lawyers maintain they are not affiliated with any gangs and were not given a fair chance to challenge these allegations.

The US government claims that it has carefully vetted the migrants to confirm their membership in Tren de Aragua, which it considers a terrorist group.

These deportations are currently under legal challenge in US federal courts.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the government must provide detainees with sufficient notice to contest their deportation, though it has not clarified how those already sent to El Salvador can seek judicial review.

Earlier on Saturday, the US State Department gave an update on a Maryland resident who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and said he is “alive and secure” while being held in a terrorism confinement center in the country. However, the department did not provide any details on the steps the US government is taking to secure his return.

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