The US Attorney General’s silence on the legality of Donald Trump’s proposal to deport US citizens to El Salvador has sparked concern among legal experts who unanimously deem the idea as clearly illegal. Trump’s suggestion, made during a meeting with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, involves sending American criminals to be imprisoned in a facility known for human rights abuses. Despite Trump’s belief that this action would enhance public safety, legal professionals assert that there is no US law permitting the expulsion of citizens from the country.

The White House press secretary downplayed Trump’s remarks, labeling them as a mere suggestion. However, legal scholars like immigration law expert Erin Corcoran and George Mason University’s Professor Ilya Somin have emphasized the illegality and unconstitutionality of the proposal. They argue that the US government lacks the authority to deport its citizens, highlighting the blatant disregard for legal boundaries in the idea.

Presently, the US is providing funds to El Salvador to detain individuals accused of being part of the Tren de Aragua gang. Despite this arrangement, the notion of deporting US citizens to El Salvador remains legally dubious and raises significant ethical and human rights concerns. The debate surrounding this controversial proposal underscores the importance of upholding legal principles and respecting the rights of all individuals, regardless of their citizenship or criminal history.