Senator Van Hollen’s Efforts to Repatriate Maryland Resident from El Salvador Stymied by Salvadoran Officials

Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland recently traveled to El Salvador to address the situation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was mistakenly deported to the Central American country by the Trump administration. The senator aimed to assess Abrego Garcia’s well-being and engage with Salvadoran government officials, fulfilling a promise made to Abrego Garcia’s family to assist in the matter.

Upon his arrival, Sen. Van Hollen sought to meet with Abrego Garcia, who is currently held in the CECOT supermax prison in El Salvador. However, his request for a virtual or in-person meeting was denied by a top Salvadoran official, Vice President Félix Ulloa. Additionally, Van Hollen’s attempt to arrange a phone call between Abrego Garcia and his family was also rejected.

The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been the subject of multiple court proceedings in the United States. A federal judge has ordered the U.S. government to facilitate his return from El Salvador, and the case was elevated to the Supreme Court, which upheld the order for his return. Despite these legal directives, the situation remains unresolved, prompting Sen. Van Hollen’s visit to El Salvador.

During his visit, Sen. Van Hollen met with Vice President Ulloa, where he described Abrego Garcia’s deportation as an “illegal abduction.” The senator’s efforts underscore the ongoing diplomatic and legal challenges surrounding the case, as well as the broader implications of immigration policies and their enforcement.