SAN SALVADOR – In a significant move on April 16, 2025, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen demanded that Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele open the doors of the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) and free Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father wrongfully deported by the Trump administration.
Van Hollen, who traveled to El Salvador to advocate for Abrego Garcia’s release, described the union sheet metal worker and father of three as “a man who was illegally abducted from the United States and charged with no crime.” His plea came after Abrego Garcia, 29, was detained in March 2025 by U.S. immigration officials near his home in Beltsville, Maryland, and deported to El Salvador just three days later, despite a prior court order barring his deportation.
U.S. officials allege that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, but they have yet to provide evidence to support this claim in court. The Trump administration acknowledged in court documents that he was deported by mistake but stated they had no authority to free him since he is imprisoned in a foreign country. During a visit to the White House on April 14, Bukele dismissed calls for Abrego Garcia's release as “preposterous.”
Van Hollen's visit to El Salvador was marked by frustration, as he met with Salvadoran Vice President Félix Ulloa, who told him he could not arrange access to Abrego Garcia or facilitate a phone call with him. “He said, ‘Well, you need to make earlier provisions to go visit CECOT,’” Van Hollen recounted. “I said I’m not interested in taking a tour of CECOT. I just want to meet with Mr. Abrego Garcia.”
Concern for Abrego Garcia’s well-being is paramount for Van Hollen, who expressed uncertainty about the detainee’s health status. “I don’t know about his health status, that’s exactly why I wanted to meet with him directly,” he said. “That’s why I want to talk with him on the phone.”
Despite the setbacks, Van Hollen vowed to continue pressing for Abrego Garcia’s release, stating, “I’m going to keep pressing with my remaining time here, and I will keep pressing beyond that.” His efforts reflect a growing concern among Democrats regarding the treatment of Abrego Garcia and the implications of his deportation.
Two House Democrats, Reps. Robert Garcia of California and Maxwell Frost of Florida, have also expressed their intention to visit El Salvador to investigate Abrego Garcia’s situation further. Their requests for an official Congressional delegation to visit the prison where he is being held highlight the seriousness of the matter.
The case has drawn significant attention, as it raises questions about the Trump administration’s immigration policies and their impact on individuals like Abrego Garcia, who had been living in the U.S. legally for over ten years after fleeing El Salvador due to threats of violence and persecution.
During his press conference, Van Hollen reiterated that the accusations against Abrego Garcia have not been substantiated. “The Trump administration is lying about Abrego Garcia,” he stated, emphasizing that the courts have not found evidence supporting the claims of gang affiliation. “This is an unsustainable and unjust moment, so it cannot continue.”
Van Hollen's remarks come amid a broader outcry from various groups, including the AFL-CIO, which has joined calls for Abrego Garcia’s return. Union President Michael Coleman expressed the concerns of the labor movement, stating, “The labor movement in general sees one of their fellow brothers in a notoriously heinous situation in that prison, and it has people upset, scared.”
As the situation unfolds, the Trump administration remains firm in its stance, with White House officials alleging that Abrego Garcia is a dangerous individual. Communications Director Steven Cheung criticized Van Hollen’s visit, labeling it a “complete disgrace” and suggesting that the senator was ignoring the concerns of his constituents regarding crime.
In a recent development, the Justice Department released records showing that Abrego Garcia had been arrested in 2019 on suspicion of being in the country illegally. However, the documents do not indicate that he was ever charged with gang-related crimes, raising further questions about the legitimacy of the allegations against him.
Amidst the political turmoil surrounding this case, Van Hollen has called for collaboration between the U.S. and El Salvador to resolve the issue. “I’m asking the government of El Salvador and the president and vice president of El Salvador not to keep a man who was illegally abducted from the United States and charged with no crime to remain in CECOT when as a sovereign country they have the power to let him go and let him go now,” he urged.
The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia serves as a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration policy and the treatment of deportees. As lawmakers from both parties prepare to take action, the outcome of this situation remains uncertain, with the potential for significant implications for U.S.-El Salvador relations.
In conclusion, the plight of Kilmar Abrego Garcia underscores the complexities of immigration policy and the human cost of political decisions. As Senator Van Hollen continues to advocate for his release, the eyes of the nation remain focused on this unfolding story.
