Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff is urging the Trump administration to unequivocally reject El Salvador's offer to hold American citizens in its prison system, condemning President Donald Trump's initial response to the proposal.
Concerns Over El Salvador's Proposal
The Democrat's letter, sent Monday and first obtained by POLITICO, comes days after Secretary of State Marco Rubio's trip to El Salvador, one stop on his tour of Central American countries intended to advance the president's immigration agenda. After the meeting, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele proposed allowing the U.S. to place convicted criminals, including American citizens, in the country's Terrorism Confinement Center for a fee.
The proposal immediately spurred concerns from lawyers and advocates but was praised by top Trump administration officials, including Elon Musk and Rubio, who called it a 'very generous offer' — while acknowledging the legal questions at play. And Trump said he would jail Americans in El Salvador 'in a heartbeat' if he had the legal right to do it.
Legal and Moral Implications
'Federal law does not allow the deportation of U.S. citizens, and El Salvador's prisons are internationally notorious for life-threatening and abusive conditions,' Ossoff wrote in a letter to Rubio and Attorney General Pam Bondi. 'I urge you to promptly and publicly refuse President Bukele's reported offer.'
Any moves by the Trump administration to deport U.S. nationals to another country would face significant legal challenges. Last week's discussions underscore the major role Trump officials see El Salvador playing in their efforts to secure regional collaboration on the president's aggressive immigration policies.
Ossoff's Stand Against Inhumane Conditions
'It would be a moral and legal travesty for the U.S. government to subject anyone to such conditions,' Ossoff said.
Ossoff's response offers clues about how and when Democrats will choose to fight Trump. Lawmakers have been strategic in responding to the president's moves, especially concerning immigration. The party's loudest criticism has been directed at Trump's overhaul of the federal government and his efforts to push legal boundaries.
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