Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland embarked on a mission to El Salvador this week, aiming to negotiate the return of Kimar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported by the Trump administration. Van Hollen is among the Democrats raising concerns about Abrego Garcia’s situation.
Expressing his views on social media, Van Hollen stated, “Abrego Garcia was illegally abducted by the Trump Admin and, by their own admission, wrongly deported to El Salvador. He shouldn’t have to spend another second away from his family. I’m flying to El Salvador tomorrow morning to check on his condition and discuss his return.” Source
Deported last month, Abrego Garcia’s removal to El Salvador violated a 2019 court order. Currently, he is held in the infamous CECOT prison, known for detaining undocumented migrants without charges, funded by the Trump administration. Read more
The White House described Abrego Garcia’s deportation as an “administrative error.” However, they claim they have no authority over the prison and no means to facilitate his return. Furthermore, they allege his involvement with the MS-13 gang, a claim his family and lawyer dispute, citing a lack of evidence.
Abrego Garcia’s wife, in an interview with ABC News, countered the allegations by saying, “Everything they are saying is wrong. My husband is a loving father and what I know is that he’s an amazing husband, an amazing father. That’s who he truly is.”
In a related development, Representatives Maxwell Frost of Florida and Robert Garcia of California addressed a letter to the House Oversight Committee, requesting a congressional visit to the El Salvador prison. See full letter
The letter highlights the case of Andy José Hernandez, an LGBTQ makeup artist deported despite safety concerns. California Governor Gavin Newsom recently appealed to the Trump administration for his release. More details
Governor Newsom emphasized, “We are not a nation that sends people to be tortured and victimized in a foreign prison for public relations victories,” urging for a policy reevaluation and due process adherence, as federal law mandates.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s mandate for the White House to assist in Abrego Garcia’s return. However, a district judge noted the Trump administration’s inaction in complying with this order. Read the judge’s statement
Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey criticized President Trump for defying the court order, labeling it a constitutional threshold breach. “The Supreme Court was clear: the Trump administration must act to facilitate the return of Kilmer Abrego Garcia to the United States,” Booker asserted, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of the court’s directive.
New Jersey Senator Andy Kim echoed this sentiment, stating, “Trump choosing to not secure the return of Mr. Garcia to the United States blatantly ignores the rule of law and is an intentional decision to descend our nation into a constitutional crisis.”
Upcoming testimonies from Trump officials are expected to address their non-compliance with the Supreme Court’s order. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller mentioned an ongoing fight against Abrego Garcia’s return, anticipating the case’s potential reappearance before the Supreme Court.
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