In this photo released by Senator Van Hollen’s press office, Hollen, right, speaks with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadorian citizen who was living in Maryland and deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration, in a hotel restaurant in San Salvador, El Salvador, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Press Office Senator Van Hollen, via AP)
AP/Press Office Senator Van Hollen
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AP/Press Office Senator Van Hollen
The Trump administration faced bipartisan criticism for the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadorian citizen residing in Maryland, who was mistakenly deported to a prison in El Salvador due to an administrative error.
Senator John Kennedy, R-La., described the deportation as a “screw up” but refrained from advocating for Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S. On the other hand, Senator Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who visited Abrego Garcia in El Salvador, labeled the incident a “constitutional crisis” and called for a concerted effort to bring him back to the U.S.
Despite a Supreme Court order to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return, the Trump administration has refused to comply. The Salvadoran citizen, who entered the U.S. illegally, was deemed likely to face persecution in El Salvador by an immigration judge.
The White House cited inability to compel El Salvador to release its citizen, while El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele dismissed the notion of Abrego Garcia’s release as “preposterous.”
Recently, a federal court rejected the Trump administration’s appeal against the return order.
‘Put up or shut up in court’
Senator Van Hollen defended his trip to El Salvador after President Trump criticized his meeting with Abrego Garcia.
Trump’s social media posts questioning Abrego Garcia’s affiliations were dismissed by Van Hollen, emphasizing the need for the administration to address the issue in court.
Last week, previously undisclosed documents regarding a protective order and a traffic stop related to Abrego Garcia were shared by the Trump administration.
Van Hollen insisted on testing these documents in court and criticized the administration for attempting to divert attention from the deportation error through social media posts.
When asked about the political risk of advocating for Abrego Garcia, Van Hollen reiterated the importance of upholding constitutional rights for all individuals.
Senator Kennedy acknowledged the deportation as a mistake but downplayed its significance as a constitutional crisis. He maintained that Abrego Garcia had received due process and vowed to hold Trump accountable if he defied a court order.
Kennedy also criticized Trump’s proposal of sending American criminals to El Salvador, citing ethical concerns.
