In the wake of a high-stakes federal raid in Phoenix on Tuesday morning, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem dropped a bombshell: tens of thousands more criminal migrants could soon find themselves locked up in El Salvador’s infamous CECOT prison. The operation, which nabbed three convicted felon migrants, signals a ramped-up effort to tackle illegal immigration head-on.
“You’ll see us continuing to partner with El Salvador. CECOT has the capacity for 40,000 individuals, and [El Salvador President Nayib Bukele] has said they’ll take as many as we want to send,” Noem announced, fresh off the heels of the successful bust. According to her, the prison already houses “14,000 there now,” with Bukele eyeing plans to construct a second facility right next door, as reported by the New York Post.
Inside CECOT: El Salvador’s Hardline Solution
Known for its unforgiving conditions, CECOT stands as a cornerstone of Bukele’s aggressive campaign to crush El Salvador’s once-dominant criminal gangs. The sprawling facility has become a symbol of his iron-fisted approach, designed to hold thousands of inmates in a relentless crackdown on lawlessness. Now, it’s poised to play a starring role in America’s deportation playbook, offering a destination for those swept up in the Trump administration’s latest sweep.
A Legal Victory Fuels the Fight
The raid’s timing couldn’t be more significant. Just one day earlier, on Monday, the Supreme Court delivered a 5-4 ruling that breathed new life into President Trump’s deportation strategy. The decision overturned a lower court’s block on the 1798 Alien Enemies Act—a law that hands the president sweeping powers to fend off “invasion or predatory incursion” by speeding up deportations of suspected gang members.
The victory unshackled the administration’s efforts to expel hundreds of suspected Venezuelan gang members, marking a turning point for DHS operations. “We’re going to continue using that act in order to return people from these terrorist organizations to face consequences and be removed from our country,” Noem vowed, signaling no letup in the crackdown.
New Rules, Tough Penalties
But the DHS isn’t stopping there. Noem revealed that starting April 11, fresh provisions under the Alien Registration Act of 1940 will kick in, tightening the screws on foreign nationals living in the U.S. Anyone staying longer than 30 days will need to register with the federal government—or face the music.
“Everyone should know that because we’re enforcing the Alien Registration Act, if you’ve been here longer than 30 days and haven’t registered with the government, we are now coming after you criminally,” Noem cautioned. She didn’t mince words about the consequences, noting that violators could be hit with fines “up to $1,000 per day.” Federal agencies, she stressed, are now fully committed to enforcing the law “to make sure American citizens are the only ones afforded the rights of being in this country.”
A Bold Path Forward
With CECOT’s gates wide open and a newly empowered legal arsenal, the Trump administration is doubling down on its mission to purge criminal elements from American soil.
The Phoenix raid may just be the opening salvo in a sweeping campaign that promises to reshape the nation’s immigration landscape—and send a clear message to those who cross the line.
The Fairview Gazette will keep you updated on the Trump admin’s efforts to crackdown on illegal immigration.
