Senator Chris Van Hollen recently met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador. This meeting took place on a Thursday evening as part of Van Hollen’s efforts to advocate for Garcia’s release. Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, shared this significant occasion via a post on X (formerly Twitter), expressing his commitment to supporting Garcia and keeping his family informed. During this post, he mentioned reaching out to Garcia’s wife, Jennifer, to convey her husband’s message of love, indicating that he aims to provide a comprehensive update on his mission upon his return to the United States.
Following the meeting, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele affirmed that Abrego Garcia would remain under the custody of El Salvador. Bukele posted on X, asserting that after confirming Garcia’s health, he would maintain the honor of being in the country’s custody. The president accompanied his remarks with pictures showcasing the meeting, depicting Van Hollen and Garcia sitting together alongside another individual, further emphasizing the formality and importance of the occasion.
In an apparent jab aimed at some Democrats who criticized Garcia’s imprisonment in El Salvador, Bukele noted that Garcia had risen from what he termed “death camps” and could now enjoy a day out with Senator Van Hollen, describing the location as a tropical paradise. This statement came amid ongoing tensions related to Garcia’s detention at CECOT, the notorious maximum-security prison in El Salvador, making the meeting even more contentious in the political landscape.
CNN sought clarification on the meeting by reaching out to the offices of both Van Hollen and Bukele but did not receive any immediate additional comments. The senator chose not to elaborate on the meeting details with CNN en Español as he exited his hotel in San Salvador, instead indicating that a more thorough account would be shared on the following day.
The journey to El Salvador was motivated by the campaign to secure Garcia’s release, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, sparking significant controversy and debate about deportation practices under the Trump administration. Garcia’s return to the country, despite a prior court ruling preventing his deportation, has made his case emblematic of the larger discussions around immigration policy and enforcement. His wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, expressed profound relief and joy regarding the meeting and underscored the support from their family and community in seeking justice for her husband, whom she finally confirmed was alive.
However, earlier on the same day as the meeting, Van Hollen faced challenges when trying to gain entry to CECOT to ascertain Garcia’s well-being, revealing that armed soldiers had blocked him from accessing the facility. He expressed concerns over Garcia’s denied access to legal counsel, citing such denial as a breach of international law, specifically referencing treaties to which El Salvador is a signatory.
As events unfolded, Van Hollen reiterated the insistence that the U.S. government was infringing upon Garcia’s rights, leading to his decision to travel to El Salvador. He stated that his objective was not to endorse specific narratives but rather to advocate for the integrity of the U.S. judicial system, which guarantees due process for all individuals.
It was during the senator’s visit that he communicated with representatives from various U.S. law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the DEA. This collaboration is part of ongoing efforts to combat transnational gang violence, particularly in relation to the MS-13 gang, which has been a focus of both U.S. and Salvadoran authorities.
In the midst of the burgeoning controversy surrounding Garcia’s case, White House spokesman Kush Desai criticized Van Hollen’s actions, claiming that the senator was aligning himself with a supposed MS-13 member, labeling his support for Garcia as detrimental to law-abiding citizens. The political discourse surrounding this issue continues to reflect deep divisions in perspectives regarding immigration policy, law enforcement priorities, and civil rights.
