Sen. Chris Van Hollen recently concluded a trip to El Salvador, where he met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was wrongfully deported. The meeting took place after Van Hollen was initially denied access to Abrego Garcia at the CECOT maximum-security prison. The situation has ignited a political clash, particularly concerning the rights and due process of individuals facing deportation.

Van Hollen shared a photo of his meeting with Abrego Garcia on X, stating his primary goal was to meet with him and that he had conveyed Abrego Garcia's message of love to his wife, Jennifer. Jennifer Vasquez Sura, Abrego Garcia's wife, expressed her relief and gratitude, stating her prayers had been answered and that her husband was alive.

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele responded to the meeting with sarcasm on X, mocking Democrats critical of Abrego Garcia's imprisonment. Bukele's posts included photos of Van Hollen and Abrego Garcia, suggesting Abrego Garcia was enjoying a comfortable situation, despite earlier concerns about his well-being in CECOT.

Earlier, Van Hollen reported being denied entry to CECOT, where he intended to check on Abrego Garcia’s health. He emphasized that denying Abrego Garcia access to his lawyers violated international law, citing El Salvador's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Abrego Garcia’s deportation occurred in March, becoming a focal point in debates over the Trump administration's deportation policies. Although Abrego Garcia did not have legal status in the U.S. prior to his deportation, a 2019 court order prohibited his return to El Salvador. The U.S. government has acknowledged the deportation resulted from a clerical error but also alleges Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member, a claim disputed by his attorneys.

Van Hollen reiterated that his visit aimed to uphold the right to due process for Abrego Garcia, regardless of the allegations against him. He mentioned that other Democratic delegations are planning similar visits. He also noted a Republican delegation had visited CECOT but did not seek to meet with Abrego Garcia.

During his trip, Van Hollen also met with the U.S. Embassy team and representatives from DHS, FBI, and DEA to discuss joint efforts to combat transnational gangs like MS-13. The situation remains complex, involving issues of deportation policies, due process, and international law, with ongoing scrutiny from both U.S. and Salvadoran officials.