Democratic legislators have unveiled plans to embark on a journey to El Salvador this Monday, advocating for the release of a man labeled a terrorist and who also happens to be a citizen of El Salvador.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) informed the press of his upcoming trip, asserting that El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele is obligated to “release an innocent man and allow him to return to his family.”
Van Hollen went so far as to suggest that any further detention by Bukele would amount to “kidnapping.” A rather dramatic assertion, especially considering the individual in question’s background.
Interestingly, Democrats have opted to eschew references to his gang affiliations, preferring to refer to him as a “Maryland man” and “father of three.”
Contrarily, the Trump Administration cites two judicial decisions that identify Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the so-called “Maryland man,” as an MS-13 gang member. This designation labels him a foreign terrorist and confirms his status as an El Salvadoran citizen who was residing illegally in the United States. His deportation has been previously halted by a judge due to safety concerns regarding his return to El Salvador. “Under our law, he’s not even permitted to be in the United States and must be returned because of his terrorist designation,” stated White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the United States must facilitate his return, contingent on El Salvador handing him over—an outcome that seems unlikely.
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Van Hollen: “I have observed President Bukele’s comments and am eager to meet with him. I’ve reached out to the ambassador to request a meeting during his visit here. However, should that not materialize, I am prepared to travel to El Salvador to advocate for the release of this individual, who is being unlawfully detained, a Maryland man and father of three, in a notorious prison in El Salvador.
I trust that President Bukele will understand the importance of allowing him to return to the United States. It is utterly unjust and illegal to keep this Marylander detained for even one more day in such a prison. Of course, President Trump could have simply said, “bring him home.” Yet this administration has consistently misrepresented Mr. Abrego Garcia’s situation. The Vice President tweeted that he had a criminal record, which was untrue. They have been caught in their deceit, and now they must rectify this situation.
Moreover, the president of El Salvador must not prolong this detention, as that constitutes kidnapping. I understand that the Attorney General has indicated we would provide a plane to facilitate his return. Thus, all President Bukele needs to do is release this innocent man and allow him to reunite with his family.”
Several Democratic representatives have rallied around Van Hollen, expressing their willingness to join him in this rather audacious diplomatic venture.
Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) affirmed, “I am ready to accompany you and help organize other House members to do the same.” Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) echoed his sentiments with enthusiasm, “I’m in, we should go.”
I’m in, we should go.
— Robert Garcia (@RobertGarcia) April 15, 2025
Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ) also expressed her intention to join her fellow representatives.
We need answers now. I’m ready to join Sen. @VanHollenForMD and my colleagues @MaxwellFrostFL, @RobertGarcia in El Salvador to demand Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release and get him safely back to his family. https://t.co/cS8ktLpdM1
— Yassamin Ansari (@yassaminansari) April 15, 2025
However, it seems highly improbable that Nayib Bukele will acquiesce to their demands.
As previously reported by , Bukele met with President Trump at the White House on Monday to discuss the U.S.-El Salvador partnership on alien removal. During this encounter, he rebuffed inquiries from reporters suggesting that El Salvador should release Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the U.S.
Bukele dismissed the notion as “preposterous,” countering, “How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States?”
When pressed about releasing Garcia back into the community, he stated, “We’re not inclined to release terrorists into our country. We have transformed our nation from the murder capital of the world to the safest country in the western hemisphere, and you want us to revert to releasing criminals and potentially reclaim that title?”
President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and President Bukele collectively confronted far-left journalist Kaitlan Collins on the matter of Kilmar Garcia.
BOOM! President Trump Shuts Down “Very Low-Rated” Kaitlin Collins During Press Conference with El Salvadorian President – Stephen Miller, Bondi, Rubio, and Nayib Bukele SCHOOL Her in Epic Exchange (VIDEO)
In a recent press release, Van Hollen declared his intent to travel to El Salvador “if Kilmar is not home by midweek.” He has also made public a letter to the Salvadoran Ambassador in the U.S., requesting a meeting with Bukele.
U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) has formally requested a meeting with President Nayib Bukele during his visit to the United States this week to discuss the return of Maryland resident Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia. Furthermore, Van Hollen has announced his readiness to travel to El Salvador this week if Mr. Abrego Garcia is not returned by then.
“Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia should never have been wrongfully detained and deported, and the courts have clearly indicated: the Administration must bring him home, now. However, as the Trump Administration seems to be disregarding these court orders, we must take further action. That is why I have requested to meet with President Bukele during his time in the United States, and if Kilmar is not home by midweek, I plan to travel to El Salvador to assess his condition and discuss his release,” said Senator Van Hollen
The text of the Senator’s letter to Salvadoran Ambassador Milena Mayorga requesting a meeting with President Bukele is available here and below.
Dear Ambassador Mayorga:
I am writing to urgently request a meeting with President Bukele during his current visit to the United States to discuss the illegal detention of my constituent, Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that Mr. Abrego Garcia was wrongfully deported to a prison in El Salvador. On Saturday, in a court filing to a federal judge in Maryland, the Trump Administration confirmed that Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being held in El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center, as stated by Michael G. Kozak, a senior official in the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. However, they did not specify any steps taken to facilitate his return, as mandated by the Supreme Court.
I have met with Mr. Abrego Garcia’s family, and understandably, they are extremely concerned about his health, safety, and ongoing illegal confinement, as am I.
I await your prompt response.
This story is still developing.
