Dem senator flies to El Salvador to visit deported migrant in prison, only to be denied

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Maryland, faced disappointment during his recent visit to El Salvador when he was denied access to Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported to the country for alleged MS-13 gang ties. Despite his attorneys’ insistence that Abrego Garcia has no gang connections, he was housed in the El Salvadoran mega prison known as the “Terrorism Confinement Center” (CECOT).

Van Hollen flew to El Salvador with the intention of meeting with Abrego Garcia, but his efforts were thwarted when he was told he could not visit the accused MS-13 member. Despite meeting with Vice President Félix Augusto Antonio Ulloa Garay in the absence of President Nayib Armando Bukele Ortez, Van Hollen expressed his determination to continue pressing for access to Abrego Garcia.

During his conversation with reporters in El Salvador, Van Hollen recounted his discussion with Vice President Ulloa, where he requested to meet with Abrego Garcia but was informed that he needed to make prior arrangements to visit CECOT. Van Hollen expressed his disinterest in touring the facility and reiterated his desire to meet with the migrant directly, a request that was denied.

Although Van Hollen proposed returning the following week to meet with Abrego Garcia, Ulloa could not guarantee the visit or even arrange for a phone call between the senator and the inmate. Frustrated by the situation, Van Hollen accused the Trump administration of dishonesty regarding Abrego Garcia and vowed to persist in his efforts to secure the migrant’s release.

The Supreme Court’s recent decision supported the return of Abrego Garcia from CECOT, where federal authorities have sent numerous suspected criminals and gang members. Despite the administration’s willingness to remove administrative obstacles hindering Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S., Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized that the decision ultimately lies with El Salvador.

Van Hollen’s trip to El Salvador sparked outrage among Democrats, prompting other lawmakers like Reps. Maxwell Frost and Robert Garcia to express their willingness to visit Abrego Garcia and other imprisoned migrants. In a joint letter, Frost and Garcia requested authorization to send a congressional delegation to conduct a welfare check on Garcia and others at CECOT.

As Van Hollen and his colleagues continue to advocate for Abrego Garcia’s release, the situation highlights the complexities of immigration enforcement and deportation policies. The senator’s unwavering commitment to seeking justice for the deported migrant underscores the need for transparency and accountability in these matters.