Sen. Chris Van Hollen meets with wrongly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador

Senator Chris Van Hollen met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was wrongly deported and detained in El Salvador. Van Hollen’s visit came a day after he was denied access to Abrego Garcia, who is being held in a high-security prison in El Salvador. Despite facing obstacles from Salvadoran authorities, Van Hollen was able to sit down with Abrego Garcia and shared a photo of their meeting on social media.
Van Hollen expressed his determination to meet with Abrego Garcia, emphasizing that his primary goal during the trip was to connect with him. He also reached out to Abrego Garcia’s wife to convey his message of love. The senator plans to provide a comprehensive update upon his return to the United States.
The situation surrounding Abrego Garcia’s deportation has raised concerns, with the Trump administration refusing to comply with court orders to return him to the U.S. Despite legal challenges and demands for his repatriation, the administration continues to assert that Abrego Garcia is linked to the MS-13 gang and has resisted efforts to bring him back.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit recently denied the administration’s request to delay Abrego Garcia’s return, criticizing the government’s actions as a violation of due process and constitutional rights. Abrego Garcia, who has family ties in the U.S. and was granted residence in 2019, was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, where he is currently detained.
President Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele have both stated that Abrego Garcia will not be returned to the U.S., citing concerns over national security. The ongoing legal battle and diplomatic tensions underscore the complexities of Abrego Garcia’s case and the challenges in securing his release and safe return home.