TCT-IMM-011 · Crime
El Salvador’s homicide decline occurred because it sent murderers to the U.S.
Statement and context
El Salvador’s murders are down 70% “because they’re sending their murderers to the United States of America.”
2024-07-18, Republican National Convention, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
What the evidence shows
El Salvador did report a major homicide decline, but it coincided with a sweeping domestic state-of-exception campaign and mass incarceration; its prison population increased dramatically. No evidence shows a government program of sending murderers to the United States. Thus the underlying decline was real while the stated cause was not.
False
Sources and attribution
Tracker research synthesis; inspect the linked evidence and research record.