Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen Demands Return of Mistakenly Deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Threatens El Salvador Trip

Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen has requested a meeting with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele during his visit to the United States to discuss the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. Van Hollen has expressed his intent to travel to El Salvador himself if Abrego Garcia, alleged to be an MS-13 gang member, is not returned by midweek. Abrego Garcia was deported on March 15 despite having a 'withholding of removal' protection order from 2019. The Trump administration admitted the deportation was an 'administrative error,' and the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ordered his return to the U.S. However, President Bukele has stated he will not facilitate Abrego Garcia's return, describing him as a 'terrorist' and questioning his authority to return him to the U.S. Van Hollen's actions are supported by other Democratic lawmakers, including members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, who are ready to travel to El Salvador to advocate for Abrego Garcia's release. Abrego Garcia, who has lived in the U.S. for 14 years, worked in construction, and has three children, is currently held at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador, where the U.S. has sent other individuals accused of gang affiliations. His family, concerned about his health and safety, has not heard from him in nearly 30 days, and he has no criminal record.