Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, plans to travel to El Salvador this week if Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member, is not returned to the United States. Garcia was detained last month, deported, and imprisoned in his home country. Van Hollen announced his intentions on Monday, stating he wants to meet with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who is currently in Washington, D.C., to meet with President Trump.
Van Hollen expressed concern over Garcia’s situation, saying he was wrongfully deported. He pointed out that the courts have ruled the Trump administration must facilitate Garcia’s return. “Kilmar Abrego Garcia never should have been abducted and illegally deported,” he said. “Since the Trump administration appears to be ignoring these court mandates, we need to take additional action.” If Garcia is not back in the U.S. by midweek, Van Hollen plans to travel to El Salvador to check on him and discuss his release.
Garcia’s legal team has denied the allegations that he is connected to MS-13, a claim made by the Trump administration. Recently, the Supreme Court ruled that the government must help facilitate Garcia’s return but does not have to ensure it happens. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller dismissed claims of Garcia’s mistaken deportation, stating that the legal order allowing him to stay is no longer valid due to the administration’s designation of MS-13 as a foreign terror organization.
During his meeting with Trump, President Bukele stated he would not send Garcia back, questioning how he could bring a “terrorist” into the U.S. He said, “I don’t have the power to return him.” Van Hollen has also reached out to El Salvador’s U.S. ambassador, Milena Mayorga, requesting an urgent meeting with Bukele.
Van Hollen’s efforts have drawn criticism from some Republicans. Representative Mary Miller from Illinois expressed disapproval, saying, “Young girls are being abused, Americans are being killed, and our communities are being overrun by illegals.” She accused Van Hollen of prioritizing the rights of those who should not be in the country over the needs of American citizens.