El Salvador Becoming a ‘Black Hole’ for U.S. Deportees, Critics Warn

Human rights organizations are raising alarms over the U.S. deportation of nearly 300 migrants, primarily Venezuelans and Salvadorans, to El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) without court hearings. Critics argue that CECOT, known for its harsh conditions, is becoming a “black hole” where detainees are held incommunicado and without legal recourse. Among those deported is Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident with protected status, whose case has sparked legal challenges and international concern. Despite a U.S. Supreme Court order for his return, both the Trump administration and El Salvador have resisted compliance, leading to accusations of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention. Human Rights Watch likens the situation to a “Guantanamo on steroids,” highlighting the erosion of legal protections for deportees.