• About
  • Contact
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
The US Inquirer
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Home
  • National
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Crime
  • World
PRICING
SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • National
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Crime
  • World
No Result
View All Result
The US Inquirer
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

Mistakenly deported Abrego Garcia meets with Maryland senator in El Salvador

by Adam Thompson Joe Walsh
April 17, 2025
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Mistakenly deported Abrego Garcia meets with Maryland senator in El Salvador

RELATED POSTS

EPA plans to weaken limits on some “forever chemicals” in drinking water

Trump’s fast-tracked deal for a copper mine heightens existential fight

Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen says he has met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who immigration officials say was deported by error, in El Salvador on Thursday, Van Hollen’s spokesperson confirmed to CBS News.

The Democratic senator shared a photo with Abrego Garcia at what appears to be a restaurant.

“I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar,” Sen. Van Hollen said. “Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.”

I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return. pic.twitter.com/U9y2gZpxCb

— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) April 18, 2025

Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele also posted photos of the meeting, but suggested Abrego Garcia will remain incarcerated by his government, which is being paid by the United States to hold deportees: “Now that he’s been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody.”

Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez, said in a statement after the meeting her “prayers have been answered.”

“We still have so many questions, hopes, and fears. I will continue praying and fighting for Kilma’s’ return home,” Vasquez wrote.

White House deputy press secretary Kush Desai called Van Hollen’s visit “truly disgusting,” writing, “Chris Van Hollen has firmly established Democrats as the party whose top priority is the welfare of an illegal alien MS-13 terrorist.” Abrego Garcia’s lawyers have strongly denied any connections to MS-13.

The surprise meeting with Van Hollen marks Abrego Garcia’s first known appearance since last month, when his deportation to El Salvador’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center drew national attention and sparked a legal standoff with the Trump administration.

The administration admitted in court papers Abrego Garcia was sent to El Salvador — along with hundreds of other Salvadoran and Venezuelan migrants — due to an “administrative error.” U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States, and the Supreme Court backed up that order, but he has remained in El Salvador since then, with Xinis suggesting the government hasn’t complied with her order and demanding regular updates on his status.

The Trump administration has pushed back, arguing it’s up to El Salvador to decide whether to return Abrego Garcia — an argument an appeals court called “shocking” on Thursday. The government has also alleged Abrego Garcia is linked to Salvadoran gang MS-13, citing a confidential informant, though his attorneys have denied that allegation and noted Abrego Garcia has not been charged or convicted of any crimes.

Abrego Garcia, 29, was born in El Salvador but entered the United States illegally in 2011 at the age of 16. He was arrested outside a Maryland Home Depot in 2019, but a judge barred the government from deporting him to El Salvador, warning he could be persecuted by gangs in his home country. Years later, in March of this year, he was detained by immigration agents in Maryland and sent to the Salvadoran detention center, known as CECOT.

Abrego Garcia’s case is at the center of a controversial push by the Trump administration to send scores of migrants — including accused members of MS-13 and Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua — to CECOT using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, which allows the president to deport citizens of an enemy nation during an “invasion or predatory incursion.” The gambit has been challenged in court, with opponents decrying conditions in CECOT and arguing the government is denying migrants the right to due process. A “60 Minutes” report found most of the 238 Venezuelans sent to CECOT on several planes last month had no apparent criminal record. But the Trump administration has defended its use of the law, arguing it is cracking down on gang violence. 

Van Hollen’s meeting with Abrego Garcia came after the senator was turned away Thursday at a military checkpoint near CECOT. He said he was about three kilometers from the notorious supermax prison, when he was stopped by soldiers, who he said were ordered to prevent him from going toward the prison.

Van Hollen left for El Salvador on Wednesday, intending to check on Abrego Garcia’s well-being. He provided updates on his journey.

“My overall purpose here is to send a signal that we are not going to stop fighting for his return until he is actually released,” Van Hollen said before his flight. 

More from CBS News

Adam Thompson

Adam Thompson is a digital content producer for CBS Baltimore.

Share6Tweet4Share1

Adam Thompson Joe Walsh

Related Posts

EPA plans to weaken limits on some “forever chemicals” in drinking water
Politics

EPA plans to weaken limits on some “forever chemicals” in drinking water

May 14, 2025
Trump’s fast-tracked deal for a copper mine heightens existential fight
Politics

Trump’s fast-tracked deal for a copper mine heightens existential fight

May 14, 2025
Buttigieg suggests Biden’s 2024 run was “maybe” a mistake
Politics

Buttigieg suggests Biden’s 2024 run was “maybe” a mistake

May 13, 2025
Left-wing commentator Hasan Piker says he was questioned inappropriately at O’Hare
Politics

Left-wing commentator Hasan Piker says he was questioned inappropriately at O’Hare

May 13, 2025
USAID to hire lawyers to investigate employees who talked to the press, alleged job posting shows
Politics

USAID to hire lawyers to investigate employees who talked to the press, alleged job posting shows

May 13, 2025
Trump and Netanyahu showing signs of division as Israel ramps up airstrikes in Gaza
Politics

Trump and Netanyahu showing signs of division as Israel ramps up airstrikes in Gaza

May 13, 2025
Next Post
Rubio says U.S. may soon “move on” from Ukraine-Russia peace efforts

Rubio says U.S. may soon "move on" from Ukraine-Russia peace efforts

RFK assassination files being released by Trump administration

RFK assassination files being released by Trump administration

Recommended Stories

Marjorie Taylor Greene says she won’t run for Senate against Jon Ossoff

Marjorie Taylor Greene says she won’t run for Senate against Jon Ossoff

May 9, 2025
Wrongly deported Maryland man’s lawyers, DOJ to face off in court

Wrongly deported Maryland man’s lawyers, DOJ to face off in court

April 15, 2025
How Trump’s Canada rhetoric is straining U.S. border town’s economy

How Trump’s Canada rhetoric is straining U.S. border town’s economy

April 29, 2025

Popular Stories

  • U.S. and China agree to major 90-day easing of tariffs as talks progress

    U.S. and China agree to major 90-day easing of tariffs as talks progress

    15 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • House passes “Take it Down Act,” sending revenge porn bill to Trump

    15 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • Trump says U.S. will stop bombing Houthis after group “capitulated”

    15 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • Bessent and Lutnick sent plan for U.S. sovereign wealth fund — but White House has pushed back

    15 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • USPS looks to raise price of “forever” stamp to 78 cents

    15 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
The US Inquirer

© 2023 The US Inquirer

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Ethics
  • Fact Checking and Corrections Policies
  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy
  • ISSN: 2832-0522

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • National
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Crime
  • World

© 2023 The US Inquirer

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?