US Retains Control Over Migrants in Salvadoran Prison

The Salvadoran government has confirmed to the United Nations that the United States retains control and legal responsibility over more than 100 Venezuelan men deported to the CECOT prison, contradicting Trump administration claims that the men are solely under Salvadoran authority. This admission, revealed in court filings, undermines the Trump administration’s argument that it cannot bring the migrants back because they are outside U.S. jurisdiction and have lost due process rights. El Salvador clarified its role is limited to providing prison infrastructure under a bilateral agreement, with jurisdiction held by the U.S. government. The U.S. is paying El Salvador millions to detain the migrants but has not disclosed their identities. Human rights groups and lawyers have reported a lack of transparency and possible legal violations, with some migrants alleging mistreatment in CECOT. The situation remains central to legal challenges against President Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act and immigration policies.