Democratic Senator Van Hollen greets and shakes hands with Abrego Garcia; El Salvador confirms detainee will stay in custody

Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, recently traveled to El Salvador to meet with deported illegal alien Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to a prison in El Salvador, the Terrorism Confinement Center, despite being ordered by multiple courts to return to the US for proper deportation proceedings. Van Hollen announced his intention to visit Abrego Garcia, but upon arriving in El Salvador, he faced challenges gaining access to the prisoner. Despite initially being denied permission to meet with Abrego Garcia, Van Hollen was eventually granted access, and images of the two men sitting at a table together were shared online.

The Department of Justice had requested an emergency block on the court order requiring the US government to return Abrego Garcia from El Salvador, but their request was denied by a federal appeals court. The court stated that the request was premature and upheld the district judge’s decision to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return. The Department of Justice’s request was rejected by a three-judge panel, with Judge Harvie Wilkinson referring to Abrego Garcia as a “resident,” even though he is not a lawful US resident. Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that Abrego Garcia would not be allowed back into the US unless El Salvador decides otherwise.

Additionally, information released by the Trump administration indicated that Abrego Garcia’s wife had accused him of repeated abuse. Written allegations of domestic violence were filed in court by Jennifer Vasquez, Abrego Garcia’s wife, in 2021. Vasquez alleged that Abrego Garcia had repeatedly beaten her, leaving bruises and causing her to fear for her safety. The Department of Homeland Security also released documents suggesting that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, which has been declared a foreign terrorist organization by the Trump administration.

Despite facing challenges in gaining access to Abrego Garcia in El Salvador, Senator Van Hollen eventually had the opportunity to meet with him. Photos of the two men sitting together were shared online, showing them shaking hands and conversing. President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador also shared images from the meeting, indicating that Abrego Garcia was confirmed to be healthy and would remain in El Salvador’s custody. The court’s decision to deny the Department of Justice’s request to block Abrego Garcia’s return to the US demonstrates ongoing legal challenges surrounding this case.