Senator Chris Van Hollen met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador, during his visit to the country on Thursday night. The Maryland Democrat shared on social media that his primary goal was to meet with Abrego Garcia, and he posted a photo of the two sitting together at a table. Van Hollen also called Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. He said he would provide a full update after his return.
Abrego Garcia will remain in custody in El Salvador, according to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, who also shared photos of the meeting. Bukele took a jab at critics, particularly Democrats, who have condemned Abrego Garcia’s treatment in El Salvador’s maximum-security prison. In a social media post, he sarcastically referenced Abrego Garcia’s situation, calling it a miracle and suggesting he was enjoying the tropical environment of the country.
Earlier on Thursday, Van Hollen tried to visit Abrego Garcia at the CECOT prison, but he was denied entry. He said soldiers stopped him about three kilometers from the prison and he criticized the denial as a violation of international law, which guarantees a detained individual’s right to consult with their legal counsel.
Van Hollen’s visit was in response to Abrego Garcia’s case, which has gained national attention after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, despite a 2019 court order preventing such action. While Abrego Garcia was not legally in the U.S., the Trump administration admitted to deporting him due to a clerical error, though recent U.S. officials have disputed this, claiming he is linked to the MS-13 gang—a designation his attorneys have denied.
Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, expressed relief after learning her husband was alive, calling it a response to the community’s prayers and efforts for justice. Van Hollen’s visit also included meetings with U.S. Embassy officials and representatives from the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and DEA to discuss joint efforts between the U.S. and El Salvador to combat gangs like MS-13.
In response to Van Hollen’s visit, White House spokesperson Kush Desai criticized the senator, accusing him of prioritizing the welfare of a person allegedly involved with a foreign terrorist organization over law-abiding citizens. Van Hollen, however, reiterated that his mission was to ensure due process for Abrego Garcia and to highlight the importance of the U.S. judicial system.