Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, met with Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man wrongly deported to El Salvador. The meeting, which occurred at a hotel in San Salvador, followed the senator's unsuccessful attempt to visit Abrego Garcia in prison. Photos of the meeting were shared publicly, providing the first glimpse of Abrego Garcia since his deportation. President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador confirmed Abrego Garcia remains in custody.
Abrego Garcia's deportation was admitted as an error by the Trump administration. The Supreme Court ordered the administration to facilitate his return, but a judge criticized the government's inaction. Senator Van Hollen stated the meeting's purpose was to check on Abrego Garcia's well-being, given the lack of information about his condition since his deportation.
The situation remains a flashpoint in the immigration debate and fuels tension between the Trump administration and the courts. Senator Van Hollen's actions underscore the political pressure surrounding the case.