Fact Check: President Trump and President Bukele celebrated a deal in the Oval Office in which El Salvador agreed to take Venezuelan migrants accused of being gang members into their maximum security prison.

Fact Check: President Trump and President Bukele's Deal on Venezuelan Migrants

What We Know

In April 2025, President Trump and President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador met in the Oval Office, where they discussed a controversial agreement involving the deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador. Reports indicate that the U.S. had already deported over 200 Venezuelan migrants, many of whom were labeled as gang members, to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador known as the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) (source-1). Bukele expressed a willingness to accept more deportees, stating that his country would only house "convicted criminals" (source-2). However, many of those deported had not been tried in court, raising concerns about their classification as criminals (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that Trump and Bukele celebrated a deal in the Oval Office is supported by multiple credible sources. The New York Times reported that during their meeting, they appeared to be in agreement regarding the deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador (source-1). However, the details surrounding the nature of the migrants being sent to El Salvador are complex. Bukele's insistence on only accepting "convicted criminals" suggests a level of caution on his part, as many deportees were not formally charged or convicted (source-2).

Furthermore, the Trump administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act to expedite deportations has been criticized for lacking due process, with reports indicating that many deportees were sent without proper legal oversight (source-1). This raises significant ethical and legal questions about the treatment of these migrants and the nature of the agreement between the two leaders.

While the celebration of the deal is documented, the implications of the agreement and the conditions under which these migrants were deported complicate the narrative. Critics argue that the deportation process was flawed and potentially illegal, as it involved individuals who had not been given a fair trial (source-3).

Conclusion

The claim that President Trump and President Bukele celebrated a deal in the Oval Office regarding the deportation of Venezuelan migrants is Partially True. While the meeting and the agreement to deport migrants to El Salvador did occur, the details surrounding the nature of the deportees and the legal implications of such actions reveal significant concerns about due process and the classification of these individuals as criminals. The agreement's execution raises questions about the ethical and legal standards being upheld by the Trump administration.

Sources

1. 5 Takeaways: Behind Trump's Deal to Deport Migrants to El Salvador
2. Behind Trump's Deal to Deport Venezuelans to El Salvador
3. Trump hopes to deport and jail U.S. citizens abroad
4. Bukele tells Trump El Salvador won't return mistakenly deported migrants
5. Trump administration deports 17 more 'violent criminals' to El Salvador
6. How El Salvador's Government Impeded a U.S. Probe of MS-13
7. Trump, Conservatives Offer Prayers and Support After Joe Biden’s Diagnosis
8. El Salvador President and Trump Ally Bukele Accused of Cutting Deals with MS-13 Gang Members Using US Aid