El Salvador Sees Record Surge in Deportations to the U.S. in Early 2026

POR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year]  

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SAN SALVADOR (AP) — The number of Salvadoran deportations to the United States reached its highest level since 2026, with a 92.2% rise in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, according to official data released by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

From January to March, 5,351 Salvadorans were deported, surpassing the 2,813 recorded during the first quarter of 2026 and exceeding previous figures by 40%.

"We're no longer just talking about flights; official data now shows a significant increase in deportations, confirming a real hardening of U.S. immigration policies toward the region," said Carlos Ramos, director of the Migrant Agenda El Salvador at The Associated Press.

He noted that while U.S. deportations rose by 24% in the first quarter of 2026, official migration figures reveal an even sharper surge in deportations overall.

According to U.S. migration statistics, the majority of deported Salvadorans left voluntarily, accounting for 4.2% of Mexican nationals and the rest from other countries.

During the current U.S. fiscal year, 20.4% of deported individuals to El Salvador faced criminal charges, another 5% had pending criminal cases, and 74.3% were registered as immigration violators.