Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador on Thursday, April 17, 2025, a man who was mistakenly deported from the U.S. by the Trump administration in March despite a court order preventing his deportation. Van Hollen shared a photo of their meeting on social media platform X, stating he also called Abrego Garcia's wife, Jennifer Vásquez Sura, to pass along his "message of love." However, he did not provide any updates on Abrego Garcia's status, noting he would have more information on Friday, April 18, 2025.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele posted images of the meeting shortly before Van Hollen did, remarking that Abrego Garcia had been "confirmed healthy" and would "get the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody." This statement was accompanied by emojis of the U.S. and El Salvador flags, along with a handshake emoji.
The meeting came just hours after Van Hollen revealed he had been denied entry into a high-security prison in El Salvador, where Abrego Garcia is being held. He attempted to check on Abrego Garcia’s well-being and advocate for his release but was stopped by soldiers at a checkpoint approximately three kilometers (about two miles) from the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). "They stopped us because they are under orders not to allow us to proceed," Van Hollen reported during a news conference in San Salvador.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Bukele stated earlier this week that they found no justification to send Abrego Garcia back to the United States. While Trump administration officials have alleged that Abrego Garcia has ties to the MS-13 gang, his attorneys argue that no evidence has been provided to support this claim, and he has never been charged with any crimes related to gang activity.
The case has ignited a partisan debate in the U.S., with Democrats highlighting Abrego Garcia’s deportation as a cruel consequence of Trump’s administration disregarding judicial orders. Conversely, Republicans have criticized the Democrats for defending him, asserting that his deportation aligns with broader efforts to reduce crime.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt held a news conference on April 16, 2025, alongside the mother of a Maryland woman who was murdered by a fugitive from El Salvador in 2023, reinforcing the administration's stance on the matter. Van Hollen also met with Salvadoran Vice President Félix Ulloa, who reiterated that his government could not return Abrego Garcia to the U.S.
During his visit, Van Hollen expressed concern that Abrego Garcia has had no contact with his family or lawyers since his detention. "There has been no ability to find out anything about his health and well-being," the senator stated, emphasizing that international law mandates that detained individuals have the right to communicate with their legal counsel. "We won’t give up until Kilmar has his due process rights respected," he asserted.
Van Hollen also indicated that more lawmakers would be traveling to El Salvador in the coming days. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker is reportedly considering a visit, as are some House Democrats. In contrast, several House Republicans have already visited the notorious gang prison to show support for the Trump administration's policies. Representative Riley Moore from West Virginia posted on social media about his visit to the prison, where he noted that it houses the country’s most dangerous criminals.
The fight over Abrego Garcia has unfolded in contentious court filings, with the government repeatedly refusing to disclose what steps it plans to take regarding his repatriation. Since March, El Salvador has accepted over 200 Venezuelan immigrants from the U.S. and placed them in the same maximum-security gang prison, part of Bukele’s broader strategy to combat the powerful street gangs that plague the country. This approach has resulted in the incarceration of approximately 84,000 individuals, significantly boosting Bukele's popularity domestically. However, human rights organizations have accused his government of employing torture and mistreatment against those detained, claims that officials deny.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old father, was deported on March 15, 2025, after a tumultuous immigration history. He fled El Salvador in 2011 to escape gang violence and had lived in Maryland since then. In 2019, he was granted protection from deportation due to fears of persecution from gangs in El Salvador. Despite this, he was arrested in March 2025 by immigration agents and deported without a hearing, a move described as an "administrative error" by the Trump administration.
The Supreme Court recently upheld a lower court ruling that mandates the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return. However, the administration has resisted complying, with the Justice Department arguing that courts lack the authority to dictate specific actions to the executive branch.
As the situation continues to develop, Abrego Garcia’s family remains hopeful for his return. His wife, Jennifer, expressed gratitude for Van Hollen’s visit, stating that their prayers have been answered as they now know he is alive. She emphasized the importance of community support in their fight for justice.
In summary, the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia has become a significant focal point in the ongoing debate over immigration policies and the treatment of deported individuals. As lawmakers from both parties engage in this contentious issue, the future of Abrego Garcia and others in similar situations remains uncertain.
