Senator Chris Van Hollen recently voiced strong criticism against the Trump administration regarding the handling of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported. In an interview aired on CNN, Van Hollen stated that this situation poses a significant threat to “the constitutional rights of everybody in America.” The senator emphasized that the due process rights of Abrego Garcia are being overlooked while he remains in El Salvador following his wrongful deportation.
During his interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on the program “State of the Union,” Van Hollen argued that denying the constitutional rights of any individual jeopardizes the rights of all Americans. He stated, “If we deny the constitutional rights of this one man, it threatens the constitutional rights of everybody in America.” This assertion underscores the importance of protecting individual rights, especially in cases involving immigration and deportation.
Last week, Senator Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to meet with Abrego Garcia. Initially, he faced challenges in securing a meeting, but he was eventually allowed to meet with the Maryland father on Thursday evening. During this meeting, Abrego Garcia described his experience as “traumatized” while being held at El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison. Following this visit, Van Hollen held a news conference upon his return to the United States, where he revealed that Abrego Garcia had been moved from a maximum-security facility to another prison with improved conditions.
The White House has acknowledged that Abrego Garcia, an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, was mistakenly deported last month. A judge had previously ordered in 2019 that he could not be removed to his home country due to fears of persecution. Despite this acknowledgment, both the Trump administration and the El Salvadoran government have maintained that Abrego Garcia will not be allowed to return to the United States.
When asked if he would support the deportation of Abrego Garcia if it followed due process, Van Hollen stated, “I’m OK with whatever the rule of law dictates.” However, he also responded to criticism, including remarks from California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, suggesting that Democrats should prioritize economic issues over immigration. Van Hollen firmly stated, “I don’t think it’s ever wrong to fight for the constitutional rights of one person,” reinforcing the idea that individual rights are essential to democracy.
The Trump administration has attempted to portray Abrego Garcia as a violent criminal, alleging ties to the MS-13 gang. However, both Abrego Garcia’s family and lawyers have strongly denied these claims. When asked whether he inquired about any gang affiliations during his meeting with Abrego Garcia, Van Hollen chose not to, stating, “I know what his answer is.” He reiterated that Abrego Garcia expressed feelings of sadness and trauma due to his wrongful imprisonment, emphasizing that he has committed no crimes.
Senator Van Hollen highlighted that the Trump administration has not provided evidence of Abrego Garcia’s alleged gang connections in court and accused the administration of using these claims to distract from the core issue. “What Donald Trump is trying to do here is change the subject,” Van Hollen asserted. “The subject at hand is that he and his administration are defying a court order to give Abrego Garcia his due process rights.”
This situation raises critical questions about the adherence to constitutional rights and the treatment of individuals within the immigration system, emphasizing the need for accountability and respect for the law.
