The Trump administration is examining the legality of a proposal from El Salvador to accommodate U.S. citizens who have been convicted of crimes in its prisons.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele put forth the proposal after discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Bukele characterized the offer as an opportunity to 'outsource a portion of its prison system.' Secretary Rubio, while recognizing the legal intricacies involved, labeled the proposal as 'incredible' and 'unprecedented.' President Donald Trump expressed excitement about the initiative, suggesting it could be executed 'in a heartbeat' if legally feasible, pointing out that it could lower costs compared to keeping inmates in private U.S. prisons.

Nonetheless, U.S. law, particularly the Constitution, safeguards citizens from being deprived of their citizenship or deported due to criminal convictions, presenting legal challenges for such an initiative.

Moreover, conditions in El Salvador’s prisons are notoriously tough, marked by overcrowding and safety concerns.

El Salvador's aggressive approach to crime has resulted in over 80,000 arrests and a reduction in homicide rates.

Bukele proposed allowing the U.S. to utilize the Terrorism Confinement Center, a large-scale prison, for both foreign and U.S. offenders for a fee.

The Trump administration has already ramped up deportations to Latin America, including the use of military aircraft for repatriation flights.

Elon Musk, a supporter of the Trump administration’s cost-saving strategies, also publicly advocated for the idea, branding it a 'Great idea!!' Despite the interest in the proposal, substantial legal and ethical issues persist.