Sen. Van Hollen Meets with Deported Man in El Salvador Prison After Initial Denials

Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) successfully met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old man deported to El Salvador last month, at the “Terrorism Confinement Center” (CECOT) on Thursday evening, after facing multiple denials earlier in the week, Fox News reports.

Abrego Garcia, who resided in Maryland prior to his deportation, was sent to the El Salvadoran megaprison due to what officials initially acknowledged as an administrative error.

Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador this week seeking to meet with Abrego Garcia, after a federal court and the Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” his return to the US for proper deportation proceedings. Other Democratic lawmakers also announced intentions to visit Abrego Garcia.

Upon arrival, Van Hollen met with Vice President Félix Augusto Antonio Ulloa Garay in the absence of President Nayib Bukele. The senator expressed his sole interest in meeting Abrego Garcia and declined a tour of CECOT. He was initially denied a guaranteed visit or the possibility of Abrego Garcia speaking with his family over the phone.

On Thursday, despite continued attempts, Van Hollen was initially denied access. However, the meeting was later granted, and images released showed the two men sitting together at a table, with beverages provided. Photos shared by President Bukele showcased water glasses with seasoned rims and cherry garnishes, along with a handshake between Van Hollen and Abrego Garcia.

The meeting occurred despite ongoing legal challenges and accusations leveled against Abrego Garcia. Earlier on Thursday, a federal appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s emergency request to block a judge’s order requiring the U.S. government to return Abrego Garcia to the US The Department of Justice (DOJ) had sought to overturn the order “facilitating” Abrego Garcia’s return, but the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit denied the request.

The three-judge panel, including a judge appointed by President Ronald Reagan, deemed the DOJ’s request “extraordinary and premature” and declined to interfere with the district judge’s efforts to carry out the Supreme Court’s decision.

Complicating the situation, the Trump administration has released information alleging Abrego Garcia is a member of the notorious MS-13 gang and that his wife has accused him of repeated domestic abuse. Fox News obtained court documents detailing domestic violence allegations filed against Abrego Garcia by his wife, Jennifer Vasquez, in 2021. The Department of Homeland Security has also released documents it claims prove Abrego Garcia is a member of MS-13, which the Trump administration has designated a foreign terrorist organization.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has stated that Abrego Garcia will not be allowed back into the US unless El Salvador decides otherwise.