Senator heads to El Salvador to find Maryland migrant deported erroneously by Trump

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democratic representative from Maryland, has traveled to El Salvador with the intention of obtaining answers regarding the wrongful deportation of a Maryland migrant by the Trump administration. Van Hollen expressed his purpose for the trip in a video prior to boarding his flight on Wednesday.

The senator revealed that he had been planning this journey for several days and expressed his desire to personally meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia and assess his current situation. Abrego Garcia, who fled political persecution in El Salvador, was erroneously deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last month due to an “administrative error.” Despite court orders urging the U.S. government to facilitate his return to the United States, Abrego Garcia remains detained at the CECOT prison in El Salvador.

Van Hollen emphasized that the primary aim of his mission is to convey to both the Trump administration and the government of El Salvador his commitment to advocating for Abrego Garcia’s repatriation. Following his arrival, the senator posted another video stating that he was en route to meet with members of the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador.

During interactions with reporters later in the day, Van Hollen disclosed that he was unable to engage with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele but did have a conversation with the vice president. He questioned why Abrego Garcia was being held at CECOT without facing any criminal charges.

The senator relayed the vice president’s response, indicating that the Trump administration is compensating the government of El Salvador to detain Abrego Garcia at CECOT. Van Hollen urged President Bukele to exercise his authority and permit Abrego Garcia, who has not been charged or convicted of any crime, to be released from imprisonment.

While Van Hollen did not have the opportunity to speak with Abrego Garcia or enter CECOT, he expressed a desire to directly assess the migrant’s health status. In contrast, Republican Congress members have toured the facility and shared images from inside on social media.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt criticized Van Hollen, alleging that he was potentially misusing taxpayer funds to bring Abrego Garcia back to the U.S. and reiterated claims that the migrant was affiliated with MS-13. Attorney General Pam Bondi asserted that Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member and emphasized that he will not be returning to the U.S.

However, the Department of Justice has not substantiated these allegations in court documents and has acknowledged the deportation as an error. Abrego Garcia’s family and legal representatives have been engaged in legal battles to challenge the deportation.

Van Hollen reiterated that none of the allegations against Abrego Garcia have been proven in court. Leavitt’s claims of MS-13 symbols on Abrego Garcia’s clothing lacked evidence, and an arrest photo depicted the migrant wearing a yellow construction shirt.

At a subsequent news conference, Patty Morin, the mother of Rachel Morin, who was killed by an immigrant lacking legal status, spoke out against Van Hollen’s efforts to repatriate Abrego Garcia. The senator extended his condolences to the Morin family following the conviction of the perpetrator responsible for Rachel Morin’s tragic death.

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court ruled that Abrego Garcia, who had no criminal record in the U.S., was deported unlawfully. Despite Bondi’s assertions, El Salvador’s government has been reluctant to release Abrego Garcia. Van Hollen affirmed his commitment to continue advocating for Abrego Garcia’s release.

In conclusion, Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s trip to El Salvador underscores his dedication to seeking justice for Kilmar Abrego Garcia and rectifying the wrongful deportation orchestrated by the Trump administration. The senator’s unwavering determination to secure Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States highlights the importance of upholding human rights and addressing injustices in immigration policies.

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