Kristi Noem Says El Salvador Prison Ready For More Deportees: ‘They’ll Take As Many As We Want To Send’
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed this week that El Salvador’s high-security mega-prison is prepared to take thousands more deportees from the United States, praising the country’s tough-on-crime approach and strong partnership under President Nayib Bukele.
The announcement comes after a federal operation in Phoenix resulted in the capture of three convicted felons with ties to violent gangs. Secretary Noem made clear that this is just the beginning of a broader push to remove criminal illegal aliens from American soil—and El Salvador is stepping up to help.
“They’ll take as many as we want to send,” Noem stated. “The facility in El Salvador has a capacity of 40,000, and President Bukele has made it clear he’s ready to do what it takes to help us clean up the mess at our southern border.”
The facility, officially known as the Center for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT), currently houses around 14,000 inmates, many of them gang members. President Bukele has also revealed plans to expand the complex, building an additional prison to support ongoing deportations and detentions.
The move aligns with President Trump’s renewed crackdown on illegal immigration, particularly individuals affiliated with violent transnational gangs like MS-13 and the Venezuelan-based Tren de Aragua. Using powers granted under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, the Trump administration has been fast-tracking deportations of suspected gang members, removing dangerous individuals who pose a threat to national security.
In a major show of diplomatic cooperation, President Trump has also invited President Bukele to the White House for a meeting on April 14. The two leaders are expected to discuss joint strategies to combat illegal immigration, gang violence, and the ongoing border crisis.
The partnership between the U.S. and El Salvador marks a sharp departure from the weak and chaotic immigration policies seen under previous administrations. With El Salvador’s full cooperation, the Trump administration is demonstrating that when leaders are serious about law and order, solutions are possible—and effective.
Noem praised Bukele’s no-nonsense leadership, calling him “a strong ally in the fight to protect our communities and restore control of our borders.” She emphasized that the United States is now working with countries willing to act, not lecture.
“This is what real leadership looks like—holding criminals accountable and working with international partners who actually want to solve the problem,” Noem said.
As the Trump administration continues to ramp up deportations and dismantle gang networks across the country, the message is clear: America is back to defending its borders—and the days of looking the other way are over.