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Sen. Chris Van Hollen Advocates for Constitutional Rights Amid Deportation Controversy

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) emphasized the importance of defending constitutional rights at a recent appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.” He asserted that politicians from all political backgrounds must commit to upholding the Constitution, warning that those unwilling to do so are unfit for leadership roles.

Van Hollen’s comments came shortly after he returned from a visit to El Salvador, where he met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who has been wrongfully deported. His trip has faced scrutiny from the Trump administration and certain Republican officials; however, many Democrats have expressed concern regarding Abrego Garcia’s right to due process and criticized the administration for allegedly bypassing judicial authority linked to a Supreme Court directive aimed at facilitating his return.

During the interview, host Dana Bash questioned whether the administration’s focus on Abrego Garcia’s case was a diversion from ongoing issues related to tariffs. Responding to this notion, Van Hollen remarked, “It is never inappropriate to advocate for the constitutional rights of any individual. Compromising one person’s rights endangers the rights of all.”

Furthermore, Van Hollen noted that many voters, regardless of party affiliation, are frustrated with elected officials who are excessively reactive or lack a principled stance. He stated, “Anyone who is not willing to confront issues and champions of the Constitution does not merit a leadership position.”

Initially, Van Hollen faced uncertainty regarding his ability to meet Abrego Garcia during his trip. Ultimately, their meeting occurred on Friday, during which Abrego Garcia expressed a lack of awareness about the ongoing efforts by his family to secure his return or the broader political discussions ignited by his deportation.

Van Hollen further revealed that Abrego Garcia was unaware of the Supreme Court’s directive concerning his case. The Trump administration, in turn, has attempted to shift the burden of responsibility for the legal proceedings on Abrego Garcia’s return onto him, leading to a conflict between executive actions and judicial mandates.

“The primary issue is that the current administration is not complying with a court order that safeguards Abrego Garcia’s due process rights,” Van Hollen explained. He critiqued the administration’s approach to managing the situation by advocating for public discourse via social media instead of adhering to court rulings. “They must either comply with the legal system or cease their distractions,” he concluded.

Source
thehill.com