Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) announced on Monday that he plans to travel to El Salvador later this week if Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national deported from the United States and currently imprisoned in El Salvador, is not returned to the United States. The statement follows ongoing legal and political disputes surrounding Garcia’s immigration status and alleged gang affiliation.
Garcia, who entered the U.S. illegally and was granted permission to remain in 2019, was detained in Maryland last month and subsequently deported to El Salvador. The Trump administration maintains that Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, which has been designated a foreign terrorist organization under current U.S. policy. Garcia’s legal representatives have denied any connection to gang activity and argue that there is no evidence supporting the claims.
Van Hollen characterized the deportation as unlawful and accused the Trump administration of ignoring court rulings. “Kilmar Abrego Garcia never should have been abducted and illegally deported, and the courts have made clear: the Administration must bring him home, now,” Van Hollen said in a press statement. “However, since the Trump Administration appears to be ignoring these court mandates, we need to take additional action.”
He added that he has requested a meeting with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, who is currently in Washington, D.C., meeting with President Donald Trump. Van Hollen said that if Garcia is not returned to the United States by midweek, he will personally travel to El Salvador to assess Garcia’s condition and seek his release.
Garcia is a citizen of El Salvador, and after his deportation, he was transferred to the country’s prison system. President Bukele, when asked about the situation during his visit to the White House, stated that he would not send Garcia back to the United States. “How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States?” Bukele said during a press briefing. “I don’t have the power to return him.”
The leftist media despises you and the truth. An illegal alien gang member and citizen of El Salvador is not a “Maryland Man.” And when a foreign alien terrorist is removed to his home soil he is justly and righteously deported. https://t.co/VYhmkXxeBP
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) April 14, 2025
A recent Supreme Court decision addressed the issue, stating that the U.S. government must “facilitate,” though not necessarily “effectuate,” Garcia’s return while litigation continues. The ruling leaves some discretion to the administration regarding the enforcement of deportation orders in complex cases involving alleged security threats.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller responded to criticism surrounding the deportation. He argued that Garcia’s previous withholding order is no longer valid, citing the administration’s designation of MS-13 as a foreign terrorist organization. “There is no mistake here,” Miller said. “The Trump administration is prioritizing the safety of American citizens.”
Senator Van Hollen also disclosed that he had sent a formal letter to El Salvador’s U.S. Ambassador, Milena Mayorga, requesting a meeting with President Bukele to discuss the matter further.
Republican lawmakers responded critically to Van Hollen’s actions. Representative Mary Miller (R-IL) voiced her opposition on social media, stating that efforts to secure Garcia’s return were misplaced. “Young girls are being abused, Americans are being killed, and our communities are being overrun by illegals — and Democrats like Chris Van Hollen are busy fighting for people who shouldn’t even be here while ignoring the needs of real Americans,” she wrote on X. “Disgraceful!”
There you have it.
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen says he is flying to El Salvador to secure the release of illegal immigrant and MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia, claiming he’s been “kidnapped.”
Democrats defend criminals and illegals over Americans.
Every. Single.… pic.twitter.com/GaE8E5eos5
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 15, 2025
The situation remains unresolved, with both legal proceedings and diplomatic discussions continuing to unfold. Further updates are expected as the week progresses and as both U.S. and Salvadoran authorities make decisions regarding the next steps in Garcia’s case.
🚨 WOW, EVEN CNN? Chief legal correspondent Paula Reid goes on the news and says Trump is *NOT* violating the Supreme Court ruling by not flying Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the U.S.
Will Democrats listen now?
“They did NOT order the administration to return him to the United… pic.twitter.com/pHeO1P4XV4
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 15, 2025
