US Deportations to El Salvador Surge as President Bukele Aligns with Trump Administration
The number of deportations from the United States to El Salvador has nearly doubled in the first quarter of 2026, as Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele aligns with President Trump's immigration policies. Official figures indicate that 5,033 Salvadorans were deported in the first three months of 2026, compared to 2,547 during the same period in 2025. This increase is part of a broader trend, with global deportation flights from the U.S. rising by 61% between 2024 and 2025. President Bukele has positioned himself as a key ally to the Trump administration, supporting its efforts to expedite deportations. This includes accepting deportees from other countries, such as 238 Venezuelans accused of gang affiliations, who were imprisoned in El Salvador. The U.S. has stopped regularly releasing deportation data, leading experts to rely on figures from countries like El Salvador. 
