Sen. Van Hollen arranges visit with Maryland man wrongly deported to El Salvador
The Maryland senator and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele shared images on social media that depict Van Hollen's meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
TroibNews 
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen successfully arranged a visit on Thursday with a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration. This meeting took place just hours after the Central American government had prevented his access to a notorious prison.
Van Hollen made the trip to El Salvador to check on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported last month despite a judge's determination that he should remain in the U.S. due to the risk of being targeted by a gang in his home country.
Both the Maryland senator and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele shared photos on social media from the meeting with Abrego Garcia.
“I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar,” Van Hollen noted in his post. “Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.”
In response, Bukele made a statement mocking the widespread concern about Abrego Garcia’s situation in a prison known for its harsh conditions.
“Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the ‘death camps’ & ‘torture,’ now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!” Bukele stated.
This was the second day of Van Hollen’s trip, which he described as focused on checking Abrego Garcia’s health. During previous attempts to see him, the senator had been denied access to the prison, whereas Republican members of Congress were permitted entry.
In the images shared, Abrego Garcia is seen wearing civilian attire instead of the white jumpsuits typically worn by inmates in the Salvadoran prison that has received numerous deportees from the U.S.
Abrego Garcia's wife, a U.S. citizen, expressed her gratitude towards the senator and community groups for their support in advocating for her family and continues to hope for her husband’s return.
"My children and my prayers have been answered,” she remarked. “The efforts of my family and community in fighting for justice are being heard because I now know that my husband is alive. God is listening, and the community is standing strong.”
Officials from the Trump administration have claimed that Abrego Garcia, who entered the U.S. without legal status, is a member of the MS-13 gang, yet no evidence has been provided. A government attorney even acknowledged that his deportation was the result of an administrative error.
Both President Donald Trump and Bukele have dismissed calls for bringing Abrego Garcia back to the U.S., despite a Supreme Court ruling requiring the administration to facilitate his return. The White House has argued that it lacks the authority to compel the Salvadoran government to release him.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
Van Hollen made the trip to El Salvador to check on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported last month despite a judge's determination that he should remain in the U.S. due to the risk of being targeted by a gang in his home country.
Both the Maryland senator and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele shared photos on social media from the meeting with Abrego Garcia.
“I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar,” Van Hollen noted in his post. “Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.”
In response, Bukele made a statement mocking the widespread concern about Abrego Garcia’s situation in a prison known for its harsh conditions.
“Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the ‘death camps’ & ‘torture,’ now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!” Bukele stated.
This was the second day of Van Hollen’s trip, which he described as focused on checking Abrego Garcia’s health. During previous attempts to see him, the senator had been denied access to the prison, whereas Republican members of Congress were permitted entry.
In the images shared, Abrego Garcia is seen wearing civilian attire instead of the white jumpsuits typically worn by inmates in the Salvadoran prison that has received numerous deportees from the U.S.
Abrego Garcia's wife, a U.S. citizen, expressed her gratitude towards the senator and community groups for their support in advocating for her family and continues to hope for her husband’s return.
"My children and my prayers have been answered,” she remarked. “The efforts of my family and community in fighting for justice are being heard because I now know that my husband is alive. God is listening, and the community is standing strong.”
Officials from the Trump administration have claimed that Abrego Garcia, who entered the U.S. without legal status, is a member of the MS-13 gang, yet no evidence has been provided. A government attorney even acknowledged that his deportation was the result of an administrative error.
Both President Donald Trump and Bukele have dismissed calls for bringing Abrego Garcia back to the U.S., despite a Supreme Court ruling requiring the administration to facilitate his return. The White House has argued that it lacks the authority to compel the Salvadoran government to release him.
Ian Smith for TROIB News
