LEGALLY QUESTIONABLE

Marco Rubio Likes El Salvador’s Idea to Jail Deported U.S. Citizens in Overcrowded ‘Megaprison’

El Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele is offering to “outsource” the U.S. prison system, despite questions over the idea’s legality.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio approves of El Salvador President Nayib Bukele’s idea to jail convicted criminals deported from the U.S. in his country’s megaprison. “We have offered the U.S. the opportunity to outsource part of its prison system,” wrote Bukele in a post on X on Monday, adding, “even if they are U.S. citizens.” Rubio praised the offer during a trip to El Salvador, his first as secretary of state, saying it was an “act of extraordinary friendship.” Neither mentioned the fact that the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution prevents deportation of citizens, making the act illegal in all but the rarest of cases. Bukele said the deported prisoners could be taken, for a fee, and imprisoned at the country’s 40,000-person capacity “Terrorism Confinement Center.” Human rights groups have reported incidents of torture by guards at the prison, which they also say is extremely overcrowded.