Van Hollen Visits Wrongfully Deported Maryland Father in El Salvador

April 18, 2025

United States Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md. ) met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador, fulfilling his promise to personally check on him. The meeting took place amid a legal battle where U.S. courts have ordered the federal government to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return, though he remains detained in El Salvador under President Nayib Bukele's custody.

Who is affected

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father wrongfully deported to El Salvador
Jennifer Vasquez, Abrego Garcia's wife
Hundreds of other Salvadoran and Venezuelan migrants who were deported in the same sweep
Immigrants living under deportation protection orders

What action is being taken

Senator Chris Van Hollen is visiting El Salvador and meeting directly with Abrego Garcia
U.S. courts are demanding updates from the federal government about efforts to return Abrego Garcia
Judge Paula Xinis is repeatedly criticizing the government's inaction
El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele is maintaining custody of Abrego Garcia and publicly denying mistreatment claims
Human rights organizations are documenting overcrowding and abuses in Salvadoran prisons

Why it matters

This case represents a wrongful deportation that the U.S. government has admitted was an error
It highlights a legal standoff between U.S. courts and the Trump administration
The situation exposes the challenges of international jurisdiction when correcting immigration errors
It demonstrates how discredited evidence (from Officer Mendez) can lead to serious immigration consequences
According to Van Hollen, this case exemplifies a broader pattern of abuse targeting vulnerable immigrants

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer