White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that President Donald Trump is considering legal options to deport US citizens to El Salvador — a country where his administration has already made arrangements to detain immigrants in a prison notorious for human rights violations. 

Leavitt emphasised that the proposal would target individuals convicted of serious crimes. However, Trump has also publicly floated the idea of deporting those who commit lesser offenses. Any attempt to expel American citizens is almost certain to face legal challenges and would raise serious constitutional concerns, as the US government currently lacks any clear legal authority to forcibly remove its own citizens.

“These would be heinous, violent criminals who have broken our nation’s laws repeatedly,” Leavitt said during a press briefing. “These are violent, repeat offenders on American streets.”

She added that Trump is only exploring the idea and that its legality remains uncertain: “The president has said if it’s legal — right — if there is a legal pathway to do that. He’s not sure, and we are not sure if there is. It’s an idea he has floated and discussed very publicly, in the interest of transparency.”

Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said he “loves” the idea and called it an “honor” to send individuals to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, whom he described as a willing partner in the effort.

Trump first introduced the proposal in March, following a wave of Tesla vehicle vandalism that stemmed from CEO Elon Musk’s close involvement with the Trump administration. Musk, who has been overseeing the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, has claimed credit for deep cuts to federal staffing and services.

“I look forward to watching the sick terrorist thugs get 20-year jail sentences for what they are doing to Elon Musk and Tesla,” Trump wrote. “Perhaps they could serve them in the prisons of El Salvador, which have become so recently famous for such lovely conditions!”

According to the administration, using El Salvador’s prison system would save US taxpayers money. Last month, several flights carrying deported immigrants landed in El Salvador. Those onboard remain jailed while legal challenges to their removal are ongoing. Many of the men, largely Venezuelan, were labeled as gang members and deported without a chance to contest the charges. Legal filings and media reports indicate many now fear retribution from the very gangs the Trump administration claims they were part of.

Trump used the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify their deportation, labeling the Tren de Aragua gang as a hostile force and linking the deportees to it. It is unclear whether he would use the same authority to attempt the removal of US citizens.

Legal experts and civil rights advocates have condemned the proposal, calling it a blatant violation of constitutional due process protections.