Democratic Representative Glenn Ivey from Maryland expressed his frustration after being barred from visiting Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a convicted domestic abuser and alleged member of the MS-13 gang.
Rep. Ivey took a trip to El Salvador over Memorial Day weekend advocating for Garcia, who is facing deportation after an immigration court ruled against him, a decision that was later reaffirmed by an appellate court.
Ah, the classic Democratic dilemma.
Garcia, a national from El Salvador, had been living illegally in Maryland. In 2019, an immigration judge ordered his removal from the United States due to his alleged gang affiliation. Initially, he was sent to CECOT, a notorious prison in El Salvador, but was recently moved to a lower-security facility in San Salvador.
According to a court filing, Garcia now occupies a fully furnished room at Centro Industrial, which is less like a prison cell and more akin to a vacation suite.
“Cut the crap!” Rep. Ivey exclaimed after learning he wouldn’t be allowed to check on his “constituent,” Garcia.
WATCH:
Today, I was denied access to seeing my constituent, Mr. Kilmar Abrego Garcia. If there is nothing to hide, cut the crap. Let his lawyer and I check on him.
@CASAforall pic.twitter.com/V310GDmIc4— Rep. Glenn Ivey (@RepGlennIvey) May 26, 2025
Additionally, last month Senator Chris Van Hollen, a fellow Democrat, utilized taxpayer funds to meet with Garcia, even posting a photo of himself enjoying margaritas with the alleged gang member.
In the image, Garcia appears content, well-nourished, and clean—a stark contrast to the narrative often portrayed regarding the conditions of deported individuals.
El Salvador’s President Bukele took to social media to mock the outrage expressed by some Democrats over Garcia’s deportation. He commented, “Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the ‘death camps’ & ‘torture,’ now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!”
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the “death camps” & “torture”, now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador! pic.twitter.com/r6VWc6Fjtn
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) April 18, 2025
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