• Trump proposes deporting “homegrown criminals” to El Salvador’s CECOT prison.
• Legal experts claim this action would violate constitutional rights.
• Trump's controversial comments have raised alarms about the erosion of legal principles.
• Salvadoran President Bukele supports the initiative amid previous U.S. deportations.
• The implications for due process and prison conditions in El Salvador are under scrutiny.

President Donald Trump has amplified his controversial proposal to deport U.S. citizens convicted of violent crimes to El Salvador's infamous CECOT prison, described by observers as a mega-prison notorious for its harsh conditions. During a meeting with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Trump referred to such individuals as "homegrown criminals," stating, "I would love to do that," and expressed admiration for Bukele's stance on deporting criminals, suggesting the need for additional prison facilities to accommodate them, according to Forbes.

Various legal experts have swiftly criticized Trump's idea, emphasizing that there is no constitutional basis for deporting U.S. citizens. Legal protections inherent to citizenship largely prevent such actions, as noted by immigration law experts who argue, "there is no provision under U.S. law that would allow the government to kick citizens out of the country," and actions of this nature could be construed as "pretty obviously illegal and unconstitutional," as reported by ABC News.

Trump's comments upset critics, who view them as further erosion of democratic principles and the rule of law in the United States. The notion of misclassifying individuals as deportable criminals raises considerable concern, especially with the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported due to a clerical error, which underscores the potential for abuses in the system and the fear associated with such actions among legal migrants, according to The Hill.

Furthermore, discussions around creating foreign prisons to detain American citizens have led to fears of transforming the judicial system into one that functions outside of constitutional protections. The depiction of these proposed facilities draws historical comparisons to concentration camps, raising alarms about the implications for American citizens, who could soon find themselves victims of a regime seeking to impose its will through extra-judicial means, warns The Hill.

Despite public outcry and legal advisories, Trump has indicated a continued interest in pursuing the legality and logistics of such deportations, stating, “We are looking into it and we want to do it,” reports India Times. This unwavering stance has led to fears that these moves could further destabilize the legal rights enjoyed by U.S. citizens.