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Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., recently addressed the controversy surrounding a photo that appeared to show him and deported illegal immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia sitting at a table with margaritas. Van Hollen clarified that neither of them actually drank the drinks and accused Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele and the Trump administration of attempting to distract from what he described as a constitutional crisis. The senator claimed the glasses were staged for a photo-op, and earlier footage did not show the drinks on the table. He accused both Bukele and the Trump administration of deception in this matter.
The controversy surrounding Garcia’s deportation stems from allegations of domestic abuse, gang ties, and suspected human trafficking. Despite federal officials calling the deportation an “administrative error,” Van Hollen and other Democrats argue that it violated Garcia’s constitutional right to due process. Van Hollen cited court rulings ordering Garcia’s return and insisted that no evidence linking Garcia to criminal activity has been presented in court. He accused the Trump administration of violating due process by stashing away residents in foreign prisons without proper legal proceedings.
Former President Trump defended Garcia’s deportation, pointing to his alleged gang ties and history of violence. Trump posted on his social media platform, claiming that Democrats were demanding the return of someone with known gang affiliations. He cited a photo of Garcia’s fist, allegedly showing MS-13 gang signs tattooed on his knuckles, as evidence of his criminal background. Trump emphasized his commitment to removing individuals with criminal records from the United States and criticized the efforts to bring Garcia back to the country.
Van Hollen’s trip to El Salvador was initially met with resistance from the Salvadoran government, which denied him access to Garcia. After press coverage, officials arranged a meeting at a hotel, where the senator was able to meet with Garcia. Van Hollen revealed that the U.S. had committed $15 million to El Salvador to support detention operations, but he deemed this funding unauthorized and pledged to oppose future appropriations for this purpose. Critics, including Republicans and Trump allies, questioned the senator’s decision to advocate for an individual with alleged gang ties and a history of domestic abuse.
The contrast between Van Hollen’s advocacy for Garcia and the White House’s meeting with the family of a Maryland woman murdered by an illegal immigrant in 2023 has drawn criticism. The White House posted side-by-side photos of the two interactions with the caption “We are not the same,” highlighting the differing priorities of the two sides. Van Hollen acknowledged the tragedy of the murder but defended his actions as being driven by the principles of justice and the Constitution. He emphasized the importance of ensuring due process for all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances.
