Marco Rubio Says 17 More ‘Foreign Gang Terrorists’ Deported To El Salvador
The United States has deported 17 violent gang members to El Salvador as part of the Trump administration’s aggressive crackdown on foreign-based criminal organizations operating inside the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the operation, saying the individuals were members of Tren de Aragua and MS-13, two gangs officially designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations under current policy.
“These people are dangerous criminals,” Rubio said. “Some of them are murderers. Some are rapists. They will no longer be walking our streets or threatening American families.”
A Coordinated Effort with El Salvador
El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele confirmed the arrival of the deportees, applauding the joint effort with the United States. Among those sent back are six individuals accused of child rape, along with several others tied to drug trafficking, extortion, and homicide cases. All 17 were flagged by U.S. intelligence as high-priority national security threats.
“These are not low-level offenders,” Bukele stated. “They are terrorists. They will be housed in our highest security facilities.”
The deportations are part of a broader international effort to dismantle transnational gangs that exploit weak borders and sanctuary policies to spread violence throughout North and Central America.
Legal Backing and Political Firestorm
The Trump administration used the Alien Enemies Act to authorize the expedited deportations—an 18th-century law revived under current leadership to address modern threats. The move bypasses certain standard immigration court proceedings, allowing the U.S. to act swiftly in removing individuals deemed national security risks.
While the administration insists this approach is both legal and necessary, critics on the Left have already begun challenging the deportations in court, claiming they sidestep due process. Rubio dismissed those criticisms as “political noise from people who care more about foreign criminals than they do about American safety.”
America First, Border Secure
The deportation operation is the latest in a series of high-profile moves by the Trump administration to restore law and order along the border and within U.S. cities. Officials say additional waves of deportations are being prepared and that cooperation with regional partners like El Salvador will remain a key part of the strategy.
“We’re not just talking about securing the border,” Rubio said. “We’re actually doing it. And the American people can see the results.”
This most recent action signals that the Trump administration remains fully committed to the America First agenda, ensuring that violent foreign actors are removed and justice is served—without apology.