In a shocking move, the Trump administration has deported hundreds of people from the United States into forced labor conditions in El Salvador, despite a federal judge’s order to halt the deportations. The individuals, including alleged gang members, were sent to El Salvador under an agreement with President Nayib Bukele, whose prison system mandates unpaid labor as part of its “Zero Idleness” program. Critics argue this constitutes modern slavery, with the U.S. government knowingly participating in a system of forced labor.
A U.S. District Court judge issued a temporary restraining order demanding the immediate return of the deportees, but the Trump administration ignored the ruling. Reports indicate that the deportation flights continued despite legal intervention, raising concerns about executive overreach and the blatant violation of judicial authority. The decision has sparked outrage among human rights groups, who argue that the United States is now complicit in subjecting individuals to slavery.
El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center, where the deportees have been sent, has been widely criticized for its inhumane conditions and forced labor policies. Under Bukele’s “Zero Idleness” initiative, inmates are required to work in prison-run workshops with little to no compensation. The government promotes the program as a way to make prisons self-sustaining, but international organizations have labeled it as a clear violation of human rights.
The individuals deported include alleged members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, as well as Salvadoran nationals accused of being affiliated with MS-13. However, many have not been convicted of crimes, and their forced labor raises serious ethical and legal concerns. Deporting individuals into a system where they are compelled to work under threat of punishment meets the United Nations’ definition of modern slavery.
Legal experts argue that the administration’s actions set a dangerous precedent. The use of an 18th-century law, the Alien Enemies Act, to justify mass deportations is being challenged in court, with civil rights organizations calling it unconstitutional. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has filed a lawsuit against the administration, stating that deporting people into forced labor violates both U.S. and international law.
This move also raises broader questions about the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Rather than simply deporting individuals to their home countries, the U.S. government is now actively participating in their placement into a system of forced labor. The decision to proceed despite a court order suggests a willingness to ignore the rule of law in pursuit of an aggressive deportation agenda.
The response from human rights groups has been swift. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have condemned the deportations, calling for an immediate reversal and intervention from international bodies.
Additionally, concerns are growing about the fate of other non-citizens in the U.S. who may be subjected to similar deportations under questionable legal frameworks. If the is allowed to deport individuals into forced labor once, it will happen again.
As legal battles continue, the fate of those deported remains uncertain. Many fear they will never be able to challenge their deportations, nor will they have a way to escape the forced labor conditions imposed upon them. The Trump administration’s actions highlight the darkest consequences of unchecked immigration enforcement—deporting humans into slavery under the guise of national security.
The world is now watching. Will the U.S. be held accountable for this violation of human rights, or will this become another moment where justice is ignored?
