El Salvador says it shares gang intel with the US — and requests specific deportees | CNN

El Salvador's Intelligence Sharing and Deportations

El Salvador asserts it collaborates with the US, providing intelligence and complete records on gang members before formally requesting their deportation. This follows the Trump administration's deportation of over 270 men to El Salvador, some accused of gang affiliation.

The Case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia

The deportation of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland sheet metal worker, has sparked controversy. Despite a US immigration judge's ruling protecting him from deportation due to death threats, he was deported and is now in El Salvador's Cecot prison. His family and legal team deny his gang affiliation.

• El Salvadoran officials claim to have further evidence of Abrego Garcia's criminal ties, but have not provided it to CNN.
• Abrego Garcia's legal team rejects these claims and highlights the violation of court orders.
• The US Supreme Court temporarily paused a deadline to return Abrego Garcia.

El Salvador's Response and Prison Conditions

Salvadoran officials state they review each deportation flight and check names against a gang database. They assert those imprisoned are individuals with pending criminal records in El Salvador. While acknowledging that some innocent people have been detained under the state of emergency, the government plans to expand or build a new maximum-security prison to accommodate growing inmate numbers, which are approaching the 40,000-inmate capacity of Cecot.