Maryland Senator Claims El Salvador Refused to Facilitate Meeting or Phone Call with Deported Individual
Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is questioning why the government of El Salvador is continuing to detain a man without evidence of any wrongdoing.
Van Hollen stated on April 16 that he has been denied a meeting or phone call with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national mistakenly deported to a maximum security prison in El Salvador by the Trump administration.
Despite meeting with El Salvador’s vice president, Félix Ulloa, Van Hollen was not permitted to see or speak to Abrego Garcia.
When Van Hollen requested to meet or talk with Abrego Garcia, he was informed that he would need prior arrangements to visit the prison where the man was held.
Van Hollen emphasized that he simply wanted to check on Abrego Garcia’s well-being and report back to his family.
Ulloa refused Van Hollen’s request and suggested that the American Embassy might need to intervene for such a meeting to occur.
The Trump administration wrongly deported Abrego Garcia, accusing him of being a member of the MS-13 gang and detaining him without formally charging him or providing evidence of his alleged crimes.
Van Hollen raised concerns about the lack of due process in Abrego Garcia’s case and highlighted the administration’s disregard for court orders.
He questioned Ulloa about the reasons for Abrego Garcia’s detention, considering the absence of any criminal charges or evidence against him.
Van Hollen also mentioned the U.S. Supreme Court’s request for Abrego Garcia’s release and the Trump administration’s failure to comply with it.
El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, has declined to return Abrego Garcia to the United States, despite pressure from U.S. officials.
Democrats argue that Abrego Garcia is entitled to legal protection and due process, while Republicans point to allegations of gang affiliation as justification for his deportation.
