Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., recently met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man mistakenly deported by the Trump administration. Van Hollen revealed that Abrego Garcia had been traumatized by his imprisonment in El Salvador and expressed sadness about being in prison despite committing no crimes. Abrego Garcia told Van Hollen during their meeting that he was in better conditions in a different detention center in Santa Ana, El Salvador, but still had no access to news or communication with the outside world. Van Hollen highlighted the impact of Abrego Garcia’s separation from his family, especially his 5-year-old autistic son who he was with when he was detained.
The meeting between Van Hollen and Abrego Garcia was initially shared by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, who downplayed concerns about Abrego Garcia’s confinement. However, Van Hollen clarified that no alcoholic beverages were consumed during the meeting and that Bukele’s portrayal of the meeting was misleading. Van Hollen’s advocacy for Abrego Garcia has faced opposition from the White House, with President Donald Trump calling the senator a “grandstander” for his efforts to protect the constitutional rights of Abrego Garcia and prevent his deportation.
Despite the White House’s resistance, Van Hollen remains dedicated to ensuring Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S. and protecting his due process rights. The senator’s commitment to Abrego Garcia’s case has been recognized by his supporters as a fight for constitutional rights for all residents of the United States. Van Hollen has emphasized that the central issue in the case is not Abrego Garcia’s alleged gang ties but the wrongful deportation of a lawfully present immigrant without a fair hearing.
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