Noem's Bold Encounter: Facing Alleged Gang Members at El Salvador’s Notorious Prison

During a three-day trip that includes stops in El Salvador, Colombia, and Mexico, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited the infamous Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador. This prison is currently holding hundreds of alleged criminal illegal aliens who were deported earlier this month by the Trump administration.

Tour of the Facility and Encounter with Alleged Gang Members
Noem toured the prison alongside El Salvador’s Minister of Justice, Héctor Gustavo Villatoro, before meeting with President Nayib Bukele. Video footage from the tour captured a striking moment when Noem came face-to-face with individuals believed to be members of the Tren de Aragua. The men, notably shirtless with shaved heads and wearing white prison pants, left a lasting impression on the visiting official.

A Stern Warning to Illegal Aliens
Standing with her back to the inmates, Noem delivered a forceful message to those entering the United States illegally:

“First of all, do not come to our country illegally: You will be removed, and you will be prosecuted. But know that this facility is one of the tools in our toolkit that we will use if you commit crimes against the American people.”

Noem further amplified her message on social media, stating, “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.”

Inside the Notorious Confinement Center
Opened in 2023 under the administration of President Bukele as part of a broader crackdown on powerful street gangs, the facility is designed to hold up to 40,000 inmates across eight sprawling pavilions. Cells within the prison are notoriously overcrowded, with as many as 65 to 70 prisoners crammed into each one. Inmates are confined without the possibility of leaving their cells, and the facility offers no workshops or educational programs.

Details on the Deportation Process
A senior Trump administration official confirmed to Fox News that 261 illegal aliens were deported to El Salvador on March 15. The majority of these deportations were carried out under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which permits the expulsion of individuals from enemy nations without a hearing. Among those deported, over 100 were Venezuelans removed under Title 8, and 21 were identified as Salvadoran MS-13 gang members, including two designated as gang ringleaders and “special cases” by El Salvador.

Video released by the Salvadoran government after the deportations depicted men, shackled at the hands and ankles, disembarking from airplanes onto an airport tarmac flanked by heavily armed officers in riot gear.

Through her visit, Noem underscored a firm stance on illegal immigration and reiterated the commitment to using all available tools to protect American citizens from criminal activities linked to unlawful entry.