Senator Van Hollen Advocates for Abrego Garcia’s Release During Meeting with El Salvador’s Vice President

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen recently traveled to El Salvador to advocate for the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. He was deported there by the Trump administration in March, despite a court order that prohibited his removal.

During a news conference, Van Hollen met with Vice President Félix Ulloa, who stated that the Salvadoran government wouldn’t send Abrego Garcia back to the U.S. Van Hollen expressed his concerns, asking why someone without any claims of wrongdoing was still imprisoned. He urged for Abrego Garcia’s release, emphasizing the lack of evidence against him.

This situation has stirred controversy in the U.S. The Trump administration criticized Van Hollen’s visit while Democrats showed their support for Abrego Garcia. Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele affirmed that there were no justifiable grounds for his deportation, even though the U.S. Supreme Court has asked the administration to facilitate his return.

Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen who had been living in Maryland, faces allegations of gang ties, specifically to MS-13. However, his legal team insists that these claims are unfounded and that he has never been charged with any gang-related crimes.

Van Hollen remarked on the troubling nature of the situation, calling it unjust. He stated that the claims about Abrego Garcia are lies from the Trump administration. In response, Trump officials have reiterated their stance that he would not be returned to the U.S. This response coincided with a press briefing where White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt condemned Van Hollen and the Democrats for their approach, particularly in light of recent violent crimes committed by individuals who entered the U.S. illegally.

Republicans have leaned into narratives of crime committed by undocumented immigrants, which has fueled arguments for strict immigration policies. Meanwhile, Democrats have taken the opportunity to challenge what they see as Trump’s disregard for legal procedures. Other lawmakers, including Senator Cory Booker from New Jersey, are considering visiting El Salvador as well.

Representative Robert Garcia from California has characterized the situation as more than merely a deportation issue, but a potential constitutional crisis. He, alongside Representative Maxwell Frost, has requested a congressional delegation to investigate Abrego Garcia’s treatment. Garcia stressed the importance of shedding light on this case and working with both the family and the Salvadoran government.

Notably, since the beginning of this year, El Salvador has accepted over 200 Venezuelan immigrants from the U.S., many accused of violent crimes, leading to a significant crackdown on crime in the country. This has coincided with President Bukele’s efforts to combat gang violence, resulting in the detention of approximately 84,000 individuals, which has garnered him substantial public support.

Despite criticism from human rights groups who allege that inmates face mistreatment, Bukele’s administration continues to stand firm against these accusations.

Senator Van Hollen has stated that he will persist in advocating for Abrego Garcia’s release, asserting that he was wrongfully taken from the U.S. He plans to continue pressing for justice, both during and after his time in El Salvador.

For further context on immigrant treatment and deportation policies, you can explore the implications and historical patterns of U.S. immigration practices in more detail through the American Immigration Council.

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