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Senator Chris Van Hollen has embarked on a trip to El Salvador with a dual purpose: to advocate for the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was illegally deported and subsequently imprisoned in El Salvador, and to assess his health and wellbeing under these troubling circumstances.
Upon returning, Van Hollen shared troubling insights from his discussions with El Salvador’s vice president.
In a video statement, Senator Van Hollen (D-MD) vehemently criticized the Trump administration, saying:
“I want to stress that President Trump, our Attorney General Pam Bondi, and the Vice President are misrepresenting the facts when they claim Abrego Garcia is linked to criminal activity or MS-13—this is simply untrue.”
“This misinformation serves as a smokescreen for their actions. What actions, you may ask?”
“They unlawfully abducted Mr. Abrego Garcia from Maryland and sent him to Cecot, a prison infamous for housing the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists.”
“U.S. courts have found no evidence linking him to MS-13. I challenged the vice president to provide any evidence supporting these claims. If Abrego Garcia hasn’t committed a crime, and the U.S. courts have determined his deportation was unlawful, why is he still incarcerated in Cecot?”
“The vice president admitted that the Trump administration is financially incentivizing El Salvador to keep him detained.”
“It’s crucial to note that neither the Trump administration nor the Salvadoran government has produced any evidence of criminal behavior on his part.”
Senator Van Hollen asserted that the Trump administration’s actions amount to the illegal abduction and deportation of lawful residents, a tactic that obscures the real conditions within Salvadoran prisons and the administration’s murky dealings.
Van Hollen promised that this issue will remain in the spotlight, with plans for more senators and congressional members to visit El Salvador in the near future.
He concluded by stating, “What the Trump administration is doing is criminal, and it’s time for Republican members of Congress to join in the effort to halt these practices.”
What are your thoughts on Senator Van Hollen’s efforts to secure the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia? We welcome your comments below.
