DHS Secretary Kristi Noem sent a powerful message to illegal immigrants during her visit to a notorious El Salvador prison housing deported gang members – and the video she shared quickly went viral. Her unprecedented tour showcases the Trump administration’s decisive action on border security and highlights a new model for international cooperation in combating criminal elements.
At a glance:
- Secretary Noem toured El Salvador’s maximum-security CECOT prison housing Venezuelan gang members deported from the U.S.
- The facility is part of the Trump administration’s strategy to combat transnational gangs including Tren de Aragua
- Deportees were removed under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which allows deportation without court hearings
- Critics call the visit “political theater” while supporters praise the tough approach to criminal aliens
- A federal appeals court has temporarily halted further deportations under this program pending legal challenges
DHS Secretary Delivers Warning From Inside Foreign Prison
Secretary Kristi Noem’s visit to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) marks a significant shift in how the United States handles criminal aliens. The maximum-security facility currently houses hundreds of Venezuelan nationals deported from the U.S. under President Trump’s strengthened border policies.
Standing inside the prison, Noem delivered a stern message to potential border crossers, emphasizing the consequences awaiting those who enter illegally. “I also want everybody to know, if you come to our country illegally, this is one of the consequences you can face,” Noem stated in a video posted from inside CECOT.
The deportees are alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang, removed under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which permits deportation without traditional court proceedings. This rarely-used law allows for expedited removal of foreign nationals deemed threats to national security.
DHS Secretary Noem will visit El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center on Wednesday.
According to the Trump administration, the more than 250 illegal aliens deported to the prison are members of the violent Venezuelan prison gang Tren de Aragua.https://t.co/YlWQKP4298
— Virginia Allen (@Virginia_Allen5) March 24, 2025
Unprecedented Partnership With El Salvador
Noem praised El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele for his cooperation in housing gang members deported from American soil. The partnership represents a new approach to international security cooperation that the administration hopes will serve as a template for agreements with other nations.
“This unprecedented relationship we have with El Salvador is going to be a model for other countries on how they can work with America,” Noem said during her visit. The agreement allows the U.S. to ensure criminal aliens face consequences rather than simply being returned to their countries of origin.
CECOT was built in 2022 as part of El Salvador’s aggressive crackdown on organized crime under President Bukele. The facility holds thousands of suspected gang members in conditions designed to prevent further criminal activity.
Legal Challenges Underway As Administration Defends Program
The deportation program currently faces legal challenges, with a federal appeals court temporarily halting additional removals pending further review. Critics, primarily from left-leaning organizations, have characterized the deportations as lacking due process and proper evidence of gang affiliation.
When questioned about these legal challenges, Noem maintained the administration’s position while acknowledging the ongoing judicial process. “We’re going to let the courts play out,” she stated, while emphasizing the importance of having tools available to protect American communities from criminal aliens.