By InspireChronice Staff
Updated July 2025
In a move that has reignited national debates over immigration, crime, and foreign diplomacy, former President Donald Trump has publicly thanked El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele after a video surfaced showing hundreds of suspected criminal migrants being deported from the United States.
The footage, which shows detainees being escorted off U.S. planes and into custody in El Salvador, has drawn both praise and criticism across political lines. But for Trump, it was a moment of vindication.
“Finally, someone who understands law and order,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“Thank you to President Bukele for taking these dangerous people back. We had no choice but to act—and we did so under existing law.”
The Operation: Who Was Deported?
According to a statement released by U.S. immigration authorities, a total of 261 individuals were deported in the most recent transfer. That group included:
137 individuals under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798
101 Venezuelans, many of whom reportedly had expired visas or were linked to criminal investigations
21 alleged MS-13 gang members, considered “high-risk” for violent activity
While not all the deportees were proven criminals, U.S. officials emphasized that the majority had pending charges, gang affiliations, or had overstayed their legal status.
The use of the Alien Enemies Act, an obscure 18th-century law, drew particular attention.
What Is the Alien Enemies Act?
First passed in 1798, the Alien Enemies Act gives the U.S. president authority to detain or deport individuals from hostile nations during times of war or national emergency. Though rarely invoked in modern times, the law has technically remained active.
Trump defended its usage, stating:
“We’re not going to wait around for more innocent people to get hurt. If someone poses a threat to America, they’re going back—immediately.”
Critics, however, argue that this interpretation stretches the act beyond its intended purpose, raising serious constitutional questions.
Bukele’s Role and El Salvador’s Response
President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, whose aggressive crackdown on gangs has earned both acclaim and controversy, appeared unfazed by the international spotlight.
His administration accepted all 261 deportees without protest, releasing a short statement confirming that the suspects would be processed through El Salvador’s domestic legal system.
Bukele, known for his tough-on-crime rhetoric and sweeping mass incarcerations, has publicly clashed with human rights organizations but remains one of Latin America’s most popular leaders.
Many believe his swift cooperation with the U.S. is part of a broader effort to strengthen diplomatic ties—and receive future security or development aid.
Political Fallout and Reactions
As expected, the political response within the U.S. has been sharply divided.
Republican lawmakers hailed the operation as “a necessary step toward restoring public safety.”
Democratic critics, on the other hand, condemned the mass deportation, pointing to concerns over due process, potential wrongful removals, and the humanitarian implications.
Senator Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tweeted:
“The Alien Enemies Act was written during a time of monarchy and powdered wigs. It shouldn’t be used to strip people of rights today.”
Meanwhile, immigration advocates fear the move could set a precedent for future crackdowns under vague or outdated legislation.
Why This Matters
Beyond the politics, this story underscores a deeper reality: the U.S. is still grappling with how to define immigration, criminality, and security in a deeply polarized era.
What constitutes a “threat”?
Are we sacrificing due process for perceived safety?
And how far should old laws go in shaping modern policy?
Whether you support Trump’s bold moves or question their legality, one thing is clear—the conversation around immigration enforcement isn’t going away. And neither is the tension between national security and civil liberties.
What’s Your Take?
Do you agree with the mass deportation under the Alien Enemies Act? Should more countries cooperate like El Salvador did?
Join the conversation below.
Tags: Trump immigration policy, El Salvador, Bukele, MS-13 deportation, Alien Enemies Act, U.S. politics, human rights, public safety, Venezuela migration crisis