MIAMI (AP) — A recent report by Human Rights Watch unveils that Salvadorans deported from the U.S. are facing arbitrary detention and have gone missing in El Salvador's prison system. The report indicates that since the start of Donald Trump's second term in January 2025, over 9,000 Salvadorans have been deported, with many ending up in overcrowded mega prisons like CECOT.
Families of the affected individuals are often left in the dark, with reports suggesting that detainees have no access to their lawyers and cannot communicate with their relatives. They have a right to due process, said Juanita Goebertus, Americas director at Human Rights Watch, emphasizing the urgent need for transparency regarding the whereabouts of detainees.
El Salvador’s governmental response remains silent amidst ongoing human rights concerns. President Nayib Bukele's government initiated a prolonged state of emergency to combat gang violence, leading to more than 91,300 arrests, but critics argue that injustices and abuses are rampant within the detention facilities.
Various human rights groups have documented serious violations, including torture and mistreatment of prisoners while families are often left desperate for information about their loved ones. In many cases, family members only discover their deported relatives’ situations through social media posts or legal inquiries.
