On Wednesday, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen visited El Salvador to advocate for the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who was deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration in March, despite an immigration court's ruling that prohibited his deportation. During a news conference held in San Salvador after a meeting with Vice President Félix Ulloa, Van Hollen expressed his concern regarding Garcia’s continued imprisonment.
Senator Van Hollen raised significant questions about the legality of Garcia's imprisonment, stating, “Why is the government of El Salvador continuing to imprison a man where they have no evidence that he’s committed any crime?” He emphasized that the Salvadoran government has not provided any proof of wrongdoing and declined Van Hollen's request for a visit to the prison where Garcia is held, known for its notorious conditions.
During the press briefing, Van Hollen reiterated, “They should just let him go,” highlighting the ongoing controversy surrounding Garcia’s case. He pointed out that both the U.S. Supreme Court and American courts have called for the administration to facilitate Garcia’s return to the United States, yet the situation remains unresolved.
The Trump administration, along with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, has claimed that there is no basis for Garcia's return. They assert that Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen who was residing in Maryland, has connections to the MS-13 gang. However, Garcia's attorneys have argued that the government has failed to present any evidence to support these allegations, and Garcia has consistently denied the claims. Notably, he has never faced any criminal charges related to gang activities.
“We have an unjust situation here,” Van Hollen declared, criticizing the Trump administration for what he described as misleading statements regarding Garcia. His remarks reflect a broader concern among Democrats who argue that the administration's actions disrespect the judicial system. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and other House Democrats are also considering trips to El Salvador to further address the issue.
In response to the situation, Representative Robert Garcia of California labeled the case a “constitutional crisis,” stressing that it transcends mere deportation policy. He, along with Representative Maxwell Frost of Florida, has sent a letter to Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, requesting a congressional delegation to investigate Garcia's condition in El Salvador.
Garcia stated, “We need to bring attention to this case. We need to work with the family and the Salvadoran government. We need to pressure the White House to do the right thing.” This sentiment underscores a growing urgency among some Democrats to take action in light of the troubling circumstances surrounding Garcia’s detention.
Trump administration officials have criticized Van Hollen’s visit, reiterating their claims about Garcia's gang membership. Tom Homan, former border czar under Trump, expressed his disapproval on Fox News, stating, “I’m disgusted that any congressional representative is going to run to El Salvador.” He emphasized that Garcia was returned to El Salvador for being a “dangerous person.”
In contrast, some Republican representatives, such as Riley Moore of West Virginia, have also planned visits to the prison, expressing support for the Trump administration's stance on immigration and security measures. Moore remarked on social media about the prison's harsh conditions, which houses some of the country’s most dangerous criminals, reinforcing his commitment to Trump’s policies.
The ongoing struggle over Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s case has sparked contentious legal debates, with the Trump administration acknowledging that his deportation was a mistake yet simultaneously arguing that his alleged gang affiliations disqualify him from court protections. Since March, El Salvador has accepted over 200 Venezuelan immigrants from the U.S., many of whom have faced accusations of gang involvement, and placed them in a maximum-security prison as part of President Bukele's aggressive anti-gang initiative.
This crackdown has resulted in the incarceration of approximately 84,000 individuals, significantly boosting Bukele’s popularity domestically. However, human rights organizations have criticized his administration for allegedly employing “systematic use of torture and other mistreatment” against prisoners, a claim the Salvadoran government denies.
Following his meeting, Senator Van Hollen asserted that Garcia was “illegally abducted from the United States and committed no crime.” He vowed to continue advocating for Garcia’s release both during his visit and beyond. The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia remains a focal point in the ongoing dialogue about immigration policy, human rights, and the legal responsibilities of both the U.S. and Salvadoran governments.
