In a move that’s turning heads, El Salvador has stepped up with an offer to house violent criminals from the US and accept deportees of any nationality. The deal, unveiled Monday by officials from both countries, is being called “unprecedented” but has already sparked backlash from critics and human rights organizations.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared the news after meeting with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. The agreement includes El Salvador taking in Salvadoran deportees who entered the US illegally, as well as criminals from other countries, including notorious gang members. Even more surprising? Bukele has offered to house dangerous American criminals in Salvadoran jails for a fee.

“We are willing to take in only convicted criminals into our mega-prison in exchange for a fee,” Bukele posted on X. He noted the fee would be low for the US but significant for El Salvador, helping sustain the country’s prison system.

While the Trump administration has praised the deal, many are questioning its legality and ethics. Critics argue it could violate international laws and treat migrants inhumanely. “These are human beings, and their lives are being destroyed,” said Roman Palomares of the League of United Latin American Citizens.

The agreement comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration by the Trump administration, including efforts to deport undocumented immigrants and strip protections for migrants. El Salvador’s role in this plan is raising eyebrows, especially given its draconian state of emergency laws, which allow authorities to detain suspected gang members without due process.

Bukele’s tough stance on gangs has won him admiration from the US, but rights groups warn that many of the 80,000 people jailed under his policies may be innocent. As the debate heats up, the deal highlights the complex and often controversial strategies shaping immigration policy today.