Senator Van Hollen to Travel to El Salvador for Release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia Amid MS-13 Allegations

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland has announced plans to travel to El Salvador to seek the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident and father of three who was deported to El Salvador in March. The Justice Department has acknowledged that Garcia's deportation was a mistake, as he had been granted permission to stay in the U.S. in 2019 due to potential persecution risks in his home country. Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen, was arrested by federal agents last month on allegations of being a member of the MS-13 gang, a claim his defense denies. He is currently being held in El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center. The Supreme Court has ruled that the U.S. government must facilitate Garcia's return, but President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has stated he will not comply with this request, calling it 'preposterous' during a White House visit with President Donald Trump. Van Hollen's planned trip has garnered support from other Democratic lawmakers, including Representatives Maxwell Frost, Yassamin Ansari, and Robert Garcia, who have expressed willingness to join him in El Salvador to demand Garcia's release. The senator has criticized the Trump administration for ignoring court mandates and has requested a meeting with Bukele to discuss the situation.