The Trump administration has prohibited the use of funds for legal advice for hundreds of Venezuelans detained in the notorious Salvadoran Mega Prison, known as CECOT. This decision comes as part of a new agreement between the United States and El Salvador.
A recent contract suggests that, while the U.S. and El Salvador listed certain countries protected by democratic principles in legal matters, they did not specify any conditions regarding treatment or care for those imprisoned under inhumane conditions. However, they did restrict funding for “legal counseling.”
This agreement was finalized after the Trump administration arranged for around 200 Venezuelan men, suspected of terrorism, to be sent to CECOT. Documents indicate there were plans to transfer an additional 300 Venezuelan men, with the U.S. committing $4.76 million to facilitate this.
Moreover, the deal ensures that the funds from the U.S. will not be allocated for reproductive health services or assist asylum seekers in finding resources and legal representation.
According to the agreement disclosed on Tuesday, the administration intends to keep the detainees in CECOT for at least a year.
Legal challenges have surfaced regarding the transfer of Venezuelan men without due process. In March, President Trump invoked wartime powers, aiming to deport accused gang members, associated with Tren de Aragua, without trials.
The White House has not shared the order publicly. Consequently, some immigrants have resorted to legal actions out of fear of being removed to undisclosed locations.
A judge ordered that the flight transporting these individuals be halted or diverted, but the aircraft ultimately arrived in El Salvador.
A whistleblower from the Department of Justice reported that a staff attorney might have misled the court by asserting ignorance about the flight’s status. Whistleblower Erez Roubeni stated that one Justice Department official implied he would disregard the court’s orders.
Subsequent lawsuits have drawn scrutiny to Trump’s application of alien enemy statutes, with some courts determining that such laws cannot be broadly applied. Recently, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Trump’s actions exceeded legal boundaries.
In July, several individuals without prior criminal records were returned to Venezuela after enduring about four months at CECOT, following prisoner exchange agreements.
It remains ambiguous whether the nearly $5 million cited is the complete sum allocated to El Salvador. Initial reports suggested this amount could escalate to $6 million, while Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) indicated that El Salvador was promised $15 million during his visit.
In addition to Venezuelans, El Salvador has also accepted deported nationals accused of affiliations with MS-13 under the Trump administration.
Among those deported was Kilmer Abrego Garcia, who faced wrongful removal.
