Senator Chris Van Hollen's trip to El Salvador centered around meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March. Despite initial denials of access to Abrego Garcia at the CECOT maximum-security prison, Van Hollen secured a meeting, prompting mixed reactions from both US and Salvadoran officials.
The meeting between Van Hollen and Abrego Garcia took place, with photos shared on social media. While Abrego Garcia's wife celebrated the meeting as a sign of hope, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele's comments suggested a cynical view, framing the situation in a manner that downplayed concerns over Abrego Garcia's imprisonment.
Abrego Garcia's case remains a point of contention, with differing narratives emerging from US and Salvadoran officials. The US government, particularly the Trump administration, has alleged Abrego Garcia's involvement with the MS-13 gang, a claim disputed by his attorneys and met with skepticism from at least one judge. Van Hollen has focused on due process violations and the right to legal counsel, emphasizing his mission as supporting the US judicial system rather than specific claims about Abrego Garcia.
Van Hollen's visit involved meetings with the US Embassy, DHS, FBI, and DEA to discuss collaboration on combating transnational gangs like MS-13. He also mentioned further efforts from Democratic delegations, contrasting his focus on Abrego Garcia's case with a previous visit by Republican officials.