White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt revealed that Donald Trump is exploring ways to deport American citizens to El Salvador.
Where his administration has already struck a deal to house immigrants in a notorious prison linked to human rights abuses.
Leavitt claimed the plan would mainly target those with violent criminal record.
However, Trump has publicly hinted that even minor offenders could be included.
“If there’s a legal way to do it, we’re looking into it,” Leavitt told reporters.
“The president has been very transparent it’s just an idea for now, but he’s serious about cleaning up the streets.”
Legal experts are raising alarm bells
Deporting U.S. citizens is likely unconstitutional, and no clear legal precedent supports such a drastic move.
Any attempt to enforce it would undoubtedly face immediate court challenges.
Still, Trump is enthusiastic. Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, he said it would be an “honour” to send American offenders to El Salvador .
Praising President Nayib Bukele as a strong partner in what critics are calling a dangerous, authoritarian fantasy.
This isn’t Trump’s first time
Back in March, when Tesla cars were being torched in anti-Musk protests, Trump lashed out:
“I look forward to watching those sick thugs get 20 years in jail… maybe in those beautiful El Salvador prisons everyone’s talking about.”
He argued that locking people up in another country could save U.S. taxpayers money but many see it as a brutal political stunt.
Already, dozens of Venezuelan immigrants were flown to El Salvador last month under Trump’s orders, accused of being gang members without trial.
Many are still locked up, facing grave threats from the very gangs Trump claims they belong to.
Trump used a centuries-old law the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify that move.
Branding a Venezuelan gang a “hostile power.”
It’s unclear if he would try the same legal loophole to kick out American citizens.
Critics say it’s a gross abuse of power and a direct attack on constitutional rights, warning that no U.S. citizen should ever be banished from their own country no matter their crime.
