More than 500 people gathered Wednesday, April 16 outside the El Salvadoran Consulate in Saint Paul to protest the deportation of immigrants — many without criminal records — to El Salvador’s controversial CECOT mega prison. The protestors called attention to what they describe as unlawful detentions, violations of due process, and the dangerous revival of xenophobic immigration policies.
The demonstration, organized by advocacy groups Minnesota 50501 and Women’s March MN, took place along Plato Boulevard, a typically quiet stretch of road on the city’s southern edge. Protesters held signs, chanted, and gathered along both sides of the street for two blocks, flanked by the Saint Paul skyline on one end and the building that houses the El Salvadoran consulate on the other.
At the center of the protest was concern over deportations carried out under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, an antiquated wartime law that grants the federal government sweeping authority to deport non-citizens during periods of declared hostility. Originally intended for use during international conflict, the law has been revived by the Trump administration as justification for deporting individuals accused of gang affiliation — often without criminal charges or the opportunity to defend themselves in court.
Speakers at the event emphasized that such actions contradict fundamental American values.
“I’m afraid that the U.S. Constitution is being dissolved,” said Lydia Kelly, a retired U.S. Army Master Sergeant. “I swore to defend the Constitution — even in retirement. That includes the right to due process.”
Among those deported under the revived law is 29-year-old Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father who had previously been granted protection by a U.S. immigration judge. In 2019, the court ruled that Garcia would likely face persecution by gangs if returned to El Salvador. Despite this, Garcia was deported after officials claimed, without substantial evidence, that he was affiliated with MS-13, one of the most notorious gangs in Central America.
Federal agents based their allegation, in part, on a 2019 traffic stop during which Garcia was seen wearing a Chicago Bulls hat. According to their report, the hat was evidence of gang affiliation. Officials also cited an unnamed “reliable source” who claimed Garcia was involved with MS-13.
Despite the judge’s protection order, Garcia was deported. The Trump administration later admitted the deportation had been an “administrative error,” but refused to return Garcia — even after a 9-0 U.S. Supreme Court ruling ordered his reinstatement in the United States. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) flew to El Salvador April 16 to seek answers about Abrego Garcia’s detention.
Legal scholars and civil rights advocates argue that such cases set a dangerous precedent, eroding constitutional protections for both non-citizens and citizens alike. “We are witnessing the erosion of legal safeguards in real time,” said one protester who declined to be named.
“This isn’t just about immigrants. It’s about whether any of us will have rights when the government decides we’re inconvenient.”
The protest also drew connections between U.S. deportation policies and systemic injustices in El Salvador itself. The CECOT prison — short for Terrorism Confinement Center — has become emblematic of President Nayib Bukele’s tough-on-crime policies. Housing over 40,000 inmates, CECOT is the largest prison in the Americas. Human rights groups have condemned the facility for alleged torture, indefinite pretrial detention, and a lack of transparency in prisoner treatment.
“In the ’70s and ’80s, people were disappeared in El Salvador and sent to clandestine jails,” said Francisco Segovia, executive director of COPAL MN, who addressed the crowd. “What they’ve done now is legalize those jails. And here in the U.S., this administration is arresting people without due process. We cannot tolerate that.”
Segovia warned that tattoos, clothing, or community associations are increasingly being used to criminalize individuals — particularly immigrants from Latin America.
“If you have a tattoo, immediately you are assumed to be in a gang. If you’re assumed to be in a gang, you may be denied due process — even if you’ve never been convicted of a crime,” he said. “That is unconstitutional.”
While the protest remained peaceful, it was marked by urgency and deep concern for the direction of federal policy. Cars driving past honked in solidarity. A few drivers slowed down to wave flags or display signs out of their windows, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Despite the strong turnout, several attendees noted the limited presence of Black community members — something organizers say they hope to address in future events by strengthening cross-cultural coalition work.
The protest lasted from 3 to 6 pm under a cloudy sky and cool wind. A lone security guard stood outside the consulate building, observing quietly as demonstrators demanded justice.
Advocates say they will continue to push for policy reforms at both the federal and state levels, calling for repeal of the Alien Enemies Act, the return of deported individuals like Garcia, and the full restoration of constitutional protections for immigrants.
Chris Juhn is a freelance photographer and contributing writer for the Minnesota Spokesman Recorder.