In a determined effort to rectify a controversial deportation case, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) traveled to San Salvador, El Salvador, this week to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported last month. According to updates posted on X, Van Hollen’s visit included diplomatic engagements, a press conference, and a hard-fought meeting with Abrego Garcia, marking a pivotal moment in a case that has ignited debate over U.S. immigration policies.
A Mission to Bring Abrego Garcia Home
Senator Van Hollen announced his arrival in San Salvador on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, via a post on X, stating, “I just landed in San Salvador a little while ago, and I look forward to meeting with the team at the U.S. embassy to discuss the release of Mr. Abrego Garcia.” He described Abrego Garcia’s deportation as an “illegal abduction” and expressed his intent to meet with both Salvadoran officials and Abrego Garcia himself to secure his return.
The senator’s visit came in response to growing concerns over Abrego Garcia’s case. The Trump administration has admitted that the deportation was an error, yet progress toward his return has been slow, prompting Van Hollen to take action.
Diplomatic Efforts and a Setback
On Wednesday, Van Hollen met with El Salvador’s Vice President Félix Ulloa to discuss Abrego Garcia’s situation. Following the meeting, he spoke to the press to provide updates on his advocacy, as noted in another X post. However, his efforts faced a significant obstacle when he and his team were denied entry to the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), the maximum-security prison where Abrego Garcia is being held.
“We were there for one simple reason: to check on his well-being, which his family and lawyers have not been allowed to do,” Van Hollen wrote in a post on X. He vowed to continue fighting despite the setback.
A Breakthrough Meeting with Abrego Garcia
Late Wednesday evening, Van Hollen achieved his primary goal: a meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia. In an emotional update on X, he shared, “I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love.” The senator noted that the meeting took place outside the prison and promised to provide a full update upon his return to the United States.
This meeting offered a ray of hope for Abrego Garcia’s family, who have had no direct contact with him since his deportation in March 2025.
Challenging False Narratives
Throughout his visit, Van Hollen pushed back against claims by the Trump administration that Abrego Garcia is affiliated with the MS-13 gang. In a strongly worded X post, he stated, “The Trump Admin can lie all they want, but the Court said they failed to show he was part of MS-13. This is about bringing home a man they ADMIT should’ve never been abducted. I won’t rest until then.”
The senator’s remarks highlight the broader tensions surrounding U.S. immigration enforcement and the need for accountability in deportation processes.
What’s Next for Abrego Garcia?
While Van Hollen’s meeting with Abrego Garcia is a significant step forward, the path to his release remains uncertain. The senator’s visit has drawn attention to the case, putting pressure on both U.S. and Salvadoran authorities to act. Upon his return, Van Hollen is expected to share a detailed account of his trip and outline next steps in the fight to bring Abrego Garcia home.
This case underscores the human toll of immigration policy missteps and the importance of bipartisan efforts to address them. As Van Hollen continues his advocacy, the nation awaits further developments in this high-profile saga.
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