Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., traveled to El Salvador in an attempt to bring back Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a suspected MS-13 member who was deported to a mega prison in his home country. Van Hollen described Abrego Garcia as wrongfully abducted and met with Vice President Félix Augusto Antonio Ulloa Garay in an effort to discuss efforts to bring him back to Maryland. Despite his efforts, Van Hollen was not able to directly contact Abrego Garcia, who is in prison in El Salvador. The senator stated that he will not rest until Abrego Garcia is brought back to the United States, emphasizing that the Court ruled that he was improperly sent to El Salvador by the Trump administration.
The visit by Van Hollen to El Salvador came shortly after an El Salvadoran illegal alien was convicted of raping and murdering Rachel Morin, a Maryland mother of five. Morin’s mother, Patty, criticized Van Hollen for his focus on bringing back a deported man while not reaching out to her about her daughter’s violent murder. Van Hollen released a statement on his official Senate website expressing gratitude for the conviction of Morin’s killer and stressing the need for meaningful action to reform the immigration system, improve public safety, and strengthen border security. He emphasized the importance of supporting immigrant communities and respecting the rights of individuals who are legally in the country.
During a White House press briefing, Patty Morin expressed her disgust at Van Hollen’s trip to El Salvador to bring back an alleged MS-13 gang member while seemingly neglecting her daughter’s case. She questioned why the deported individual should have more rights than her daughter and grandchildren. In response, Van Hollen stated in a video that he cares about every victim of crime and highlighted the importance of ensuring that individuals are not disappeared out of the United States without due process. He emphasized the need for the court system to hold criminals accountable while protecting those who have not been convicted of crimes.
Abrego Garcia’s deportation to El Salvador’s “Terrorism Confinement Center” has sparked controversy, with his alleged gang affiliation being a central issue. The Department of Homeland Security shared police records indicating his membership in MS-13 and his eligibility for deportation based on illegal entry into the U.S. in 2012. Following a Supreme Court decision upholding the lower court’s ruling for his return to the U.S., efforts have been made to facilitate his release from custody in El Salvador. The Trump administration has agreed to remove administrative obstacles, but the decision ultimately lies with El Salvador.
Although Van Hollen is not the only Democrat lawmaker seeking to bring back Abrego Garcia, Attorney General Pam Bondi has stated that the decision to return him rests with El Salvador. The Supreme Court has called for his release from custody in El Salvador and for his case to be handled properly as if he had not been improperly sent to the country. Van Hollen’s visit to El Salvador and advocacy for Abrego Garcia’s return have sparked debate and criticism, with questions raised about the priority given to bringing back a deported individual compared to addressing crimes committed in the U.S. including the case of Rachel Morin.
