Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com
Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland faced a setback during his recent visit to El Salvador while attempting to see Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man deported due to an administrative mishap. Van Hollen reported that he was stopped at a military checkpoint approximately 3 kilometers from the infamous supermax prison known as CECOT, where Garcia is being held.
Objectives of Sen. Van Hollen’s Visit
On April 16, Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador with the intent of assessing the situation and well-being of Abrego Garcia, a month after his deportation. During his visit, he met with El Salvador’s Vice President, Félix Ulloa, to discuss concerns regarding Garcia’s alleged connections to gangs and the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding his deportation.
However, he expressed frustration at being unable to secure a meeting or even a phone call with Garcia. “In my discussion with the vice president, I emphasized the importance of not being complicit in the unlawful actions of the previous U.S. administration regarding Mr. Abrego Garcia,” Van Hollen revealed at a news briefing.
According to the senator, Vice President Ulloa indicated that further time would be needed to arrange a meeting at the prison and suggested that the requests for contact should be forwarded to the U.S. Embassy.
Continuing his quest for information about Garcia, Van Hollen was accompanied by the attorney representing Garcia’s wife and mother. He highlighted, “Since Garcia’s forced removal to CECOT, he has not been able to communicate with anyone outside. His family and lawyers have made numerous efforts to connect with him, but all have been unsuccessful.”
Van Hollen also met with various human rights organizations during his visit, who expressed grave concerns regarding the lack of communication with inmates in CECOT.
Deportation Background of Kilmar Abrego Garcia
Garcia was deported to El Salvador in March after being apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents while leaving his job in Baltimore. He was placed on a flight with about 200 other migrants, whom the Trump administration alleged had gang affiliations.
Notably, Garcia was deported despite having received an order of protection from a U.S. immigration judge in 2019, which should have shielded him from being sent back to El Salvador. Soon after his deportation, ICE acknowledged it had occurred due to an administrative error.
Continuing Legal Struggles
The incident has led to a protracted legal confrontation that is still ongoing in federal court. In March, Garcia’s legal team filed a motion seeking his return to the United States.
A federal judge initially ruled that Garcia should be returned to the U.S. by April 7, but the Trump administration escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, leading Chief Justice John Roberts to stay the deadline. In a unanimous ruling, the Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to facilitate Garcia’s return, reaffirming the federal judge’s earlier ruling.
Allegations of Gang Ties
While the Trump administration asserts that Garcia has ties to the notorious MS-13 gang, both his family and legal counsel vehemently dispute these accusations. “The El Salvadoran government has not presented any evidence connecting him to MS-13; thus, why is he still being held in CECOT?” Van Hollen challenged during his remarks on Wednesday.
On that same day, documents were released by Attorney General Pam Bondi, outlining the circumstances surrounding Garcia’s initial arrest in 2019. The reports revealed that he was apprehended near a Home Depot while attempting to solicit work. Although police were skeptical regarding his claims of not being affiliated with any gangs, consistent allegations were made against him.
These documents also noted that a recognized gang member was among those arrested with Garcia, and it indicated that tattoos observed on other apprehended individuals reflected gang culture. Notably, no criminal history was attributed to Garcia. Despite his arrest, he later secured a judicial order protecting him from deportation alongside a work permit.
“The government is attempting to frame this situation as a gang-related issue, even though the presiding judge has indicated that substantial evidence to support these claims remains absent,” stated Van Hollen on Thursday. “I am not here to verify any specific claims, but rather to stand as an advocate for the integrity of the judicial system in the United States, which ensures every individual is afforded the right to due process.”
Source
www.cbsnews.com