Kristi Noem stated that the U.S. could potentially send tens of thousands more convicted criminal migrants to El Salvador’s notorious Center for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT), following a new ruling handed down by the Supreme Court.
“You’ll see us continuing to partner with El Salvador. CECOT has the capacity for 40,000 individuals, and [El Salvador President Nayib Bukele] has said they’ll take as many as we want to send,” the Department of Homeland Security secretary said.
“There’s 14,000 there now, and he said he plans to build another prison right next to it.”
The announcement came in the wake of a federal enforcement operation on Tuesday morning in Phoenix, where Noem oversaw a raid that led to the arrest of three migrants with felony convictions.
Speaking to The Post, Noem emphasized that there is ample space available at the infamous CECOT facility, and affirmed that the Trump administration would not hesitate to invoke the 1798 Alien Enemies Act now that the Supreme Court has upheld its use.
“We’re going to continue using that act in order to return people from these terrorist organizations to face consequences and be removed from our country,” she said.
She also pointed to changes in the Alien Registration Act of 1940, which will begin to be enforced starting April 11. The updated legislation mandates that any foreign national who has resided in the United States for more than 30 days must register with federal authorities or risk fines, incarceration, or deportation.
As a consequence of that law, Noem stated, “everyone in this country illegally” will be subject to criminal charges.
She reiterated that once the Alien Registration Act goes into effect, “everyone in this country illegally” is now subject to criminal charges.
“Everyone should know that because we’re enforcing the Alien Registration Act, if you’ve been here longer than 30 days and haven’t registered with the government, we are now coming after you criminally,” she warned.
“This means we can come into your home and get you, charge you and remove you, and there’s fines up to $1,000 per day,” she said, explaining that federal authorities will now use every legal tool available to ensure that “American citizens are the only ones afforded the rights of being in this country.”
{Matzav.com}