Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem left social media critics aghast on Wednesday as she visited a maximum-security prison in El Salvador to deliver a message to criminal undocumented immigrants.
In a video posted to her X account, Noem said her team was visiting the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT, which she declared is accepting the United States' terrorists for the "violence that they've perpetuated in our communities."
"I also want everybody to know that if you come to our country illegally, this is one of the consequences that you could face," she said. "First of all, do not come to our country illegally. You will be removed and you will be prosecuted. But know that this facility is one of the tools in our tool kit that we will use if you commit crimes against the American people."
ALSO READ: 'Came as a surprise to me': Senators 'troubled' by one aspect of government funding bill
The Trump administration deported migrants to the facility — defying a judge's order in doing so — that it accused of being affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang. More than 260 people, including 137 expelled under the Alien Enemies Act, were sent to El Salvador.
Noem toured the facility accompanied by the Salvadorian minister of justice. The prison can house up to 40,000 inmates and is notorious for its severe conditions, with prisoners crammed into cells with no access to the outdoors.
The video prompted immediate criticism on social media.
Democratic strategist Adam Parkhomenko wrote on X: "Kristi Noem’s Desperate Stunt: Exploiting Foreign Prisoners for Political Fearmongering."
Tim Miller, MSNBC analyst and host of The Bulwark Podcast, remarked, "This is the sickest s--- i have ever seen in my life oh my god."
Jeff Timmer, senior advisor at the anti-Trump group The Lincoln Project, chided, "I wonder if they had to talk her out of shooting a puppy in the face to show the prisoners who’s boss, or if that’s yet to come in part 2?"
"Those are human f---ing beings behind you, not f---ing props!!!!!! That looks like a concentration camp. This is utterly reprehensible. Shame on you," rebuked the anti-MAGA account JoJoFromJerz.
Watch the clip below or at this link.
I toured the CECOT, El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center.
President Trump and I have a clear message to criminal illegal aliens: LEAVE NOW.
If you do not leave, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and you could end up in this El Salvadorian prison. pic.twitter.com/OItDqNsFxM
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) March 26, 2025