Annie Comes Home: The U.S. deported people to El Salvador’s notorious mega-prison. The Senate must demand answers.

Friday, May 9, 2025

The U.S. deported people to El Salvador’s notorious mega-prison. The Senate must demand answers.

Pamela: The Trump administration has now secretly deported more than 200 immigrants without due process to a notorious torture prison in El Salvador. El Salvador's justice minister has even said the only way out is “in a coffin.”[1]

Senators Tim Kaine, Chris Van Hollen, Alex Padilla, and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are leading the charge to hold Presidents Trump and Bukele accountable for this horrific scheme. They’ve just introduced S.Res.195, a privileged resolution that would force the administration to report on human rights abuses by the Salvadoran government, determine whether U.S. security assistance is playing a role, and push senior officials to comply with court orders mandating the return of some of the imprisoned.

And if the Trump administration fails to produce the required reports, security assistance to El Salvador would be prohibited by federal law.

It’s a powerful, procedural maneuver — and because it isn’t subject to a president’s veto OR a filibuster, just one vote can get big results.

It still won’t be easy. Right now, Win Without War is leveraging every tool we’ve got to ensure Senate Democrats stay united on this vote and appeal to Republican Senators courageous enough to stand up for due process and the rule of law. One thing that can make all the difference? Senators hearing directly from activists like you too, Pamela.

We demand full transparency and accountability now. Tell the Senate to pass this resolution to investigate the shady deportation deal with El Salvador and Trump’s compliance with due process and court orders.

ACT NOW

An overwhelming majority of those deported have no apparent criminal convictions or criminal charges.[1] They include Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father who the Trump administration admitted was mistakenly deported, and Andry Jose Hernandez Romero, a gay stylist detained and deported for the tattoos on his wrist. Too many questions, about so many others remain.

The legality of this deportation scheme has failed to hold up again and again. One Trump-appointed Texas District Judge ruled these deportations unlawful, another District Judge in DC ordered the administration to turn El Salvador-bound planes around, and even the Supreme Court has directed the administration to facilitate the return of the wrongfully deported Abrego Garcia.

This is a vital opportunity to put Trump on the defensive over this unlawful, deeply unpopular foreign and immigration policy — and force every Senator to go on record on whether or not they oppose sending people to foreign torture sites.

This isn’t just about uncovering Trump’s abuses and the backroom deals he’s making, it’s about preventing Trump from continuing to funnel U.S. residents into offshore torture chambers. Every Senator should be seizing this moment to reassert Congressional authority over foreign policy and human rights — and your voice can help push them to do it.

Your Senators need to hear from you before this resolution comes up for a vote. Sign on to demand that the Senate take action to stop Trump’s illegal deportations to El Salvador by passing this resolution today.

Inaction in this moment sends a horrifying signal: The U.S. government can pay foreign regimes to jail whomever it wants without due process, oversight, or consequence. That’s a message we must never accept.

Thank you for working for peace,
The Win Without War team

1. CBS News, “U.S. sent 238 migrants to Salvadoran mega-prison; documents indicate most have no apparent criminal records”