Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently visited El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a facility known for housing dangerous gang members. During her tour, she was shown suspected members of the Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela who had been deported from the United States.
Noem shared her experience on social media, delivering a strong message to undocumented immigrants in the U.S. She stated, “President Trump and I have a clear message to criminal illegal aliens: LEAVE NOW. If you do not leave, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and you could end up in this El Salvadorian prison.”
In her video, Noem emphasized that immigrants should not attempt to enter the U.S. illegally, warning that they would face removal and prosecution. She described the CECOT as one of the tools the U.S. government could use against those who commit crimes.
The CECOT is notorious for its harsh conditions, housing about 15,000 inmates, with a capacity of up to 40,000. Inmates live in overcrowded cells, often with 65 to 70 men per cell. The facility has received criticism for its brutal environment, where inmates are offered minimal meals and are not allowed outside or to have visitors.
Noem toured the prison alongside El Salvador’s Minister of Justice, Héctor Gustavo Villatoro, before meeting with President Nayib Bukele to discuss the possibility of sending more alleged gang members from the U.S. to CECOT. Bukele has previously suggested that El Salvador could accommodate American criminals for a fee, which he described as “relatively low” for the U.S. but significant for his country.
The CECOT opened in 2023 and is designed to deter gang activity through its severe conditions. The prison has no educational programs, and inmates spend nearly all their time confined. This visit by Noem highlights ongoing efforts by the U.S. to address illegal immigration and crime, particularly concerning gang violence.