Senator Chris Van Hollen from Maryland is heading to El Salvador to advocate for the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who has been detained and deported back to his home country. Garcia, who lived in Maryland, was arrested in March and sent to a prison known as the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador. Van Hollen believes the U.S. government should prioritize Garcia’s safe return.
Van Hollen announced his trip after warning that he would go to El Salvador if Garcia was not brought back to the United States. He expressed concern for Garcia’s wellbeing and hopes to have discussions with Salvadoran officials about his release. Garcia’s legal team has denied claims that he is affiliated with the MS-13 gang, which has been a point of contention in his case.
The situation gained attention after the Supreme Court ruled that the government needs to facilitate Garcia’s return, though it does not have to force it. This ruling has led to ongoing legal battles, with a judge requiring federal officials to testify about their efforts to bring Garcia back.
White House aide Stephen Miller has stated that Garcia’s deportation was not a mistake. He argued that the order preventing Garcia’s deportation is no longer valid because MS-13 is now classified as a foreign terrorist organization. During a meeting between President Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, Bukele refused to send Garcia back, saying he could not "smuggle a terrorist into the United States."
Van Hollen has called Garcia’s deportation an “abduction” and insists that federal courts have ordered his return to Maryland. He is not alone in his efforts; several other Democrats in Congress have shown interest in joining him on this trip.
In a related note, Van Hollen recently commented on the conviction of Victor Antonio Martinez Hernandez, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, for the murder of Rachel Morin, a Maryland mother. He expressed gratitude for the justice served but also highlighted the need for reform in the immigration system to improve public safety.
The White House has criticized the focus of Senate Democrats, suggesting that they should prioritize the safety of American citizens over advocating for illegal immigrants. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed concern that Democrats are spending more time defending individuals like Garcia than addressing the needs of law-abiding citizens.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how Van Hollen’s trip will impact Garcia’s case and the broader conversation around immigration and public safety in the United States.