TECOLUCA, El Salvador − Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen, who traveled to El Salvador in hopes of meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a sheet metal worker previously living in Maryland who was wrongly deported a month ago, remains unwavering in his efforts to secure the release of the father of three. “I’ve spent the entire day in El Salvador advocating for Mr. Abrego Garcia’s return,” Van Hollen stated in a social media post late on April 16. “The Trump Administration can continue to spread falsehoods, but the court ruled that they failed to prove his association with MS-13. This is about reuniting a man they ADMIT should never have been taken. I will not stop until justice is served.”
Despite his persistence, authorities refused to permit Van Hollen to meet with Abrego Garcia, 29, currently held in a notorious prison in El Salvador. On the same day, the Trump administration defended the deportation and appealed a court order urging for his return to the U.S. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed, “If he were to return to the United States, he would be deported immediately.”
Leavitt also highlighted allegations of domestic violence against Abrego Garcia made by his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura. These included a restraining order stemming from a domestic altercation between the couple. A court document from 2021 detailed Abrego Garcia’s actions of physical harm towards Vasquez Sura. Vasquez Sura later explained to USA TODAY that she had taken precautionary measures following a disagreement, with the temporary protective order being closed a month after it was filed as per Prince George’s County records.
Van Hollen’s attempts to meet with Abrego Garcia were futile as he was denied access to the prisoner by authorities in El Salvador. Despite this, some U.S. lawmakers, including Republicans Rep. Riley Moore and Rep. Jason Smith, were able to visit the prison where Abrego Garcia is held. Moore mentioned in a social media post that the facility housed individuals with serious criminal backgrounds, some of whom were deported from the U.S. Jason Smith criticized Van Hollen’s advocacy for Abrego Garcia’s release, stating, “It is unacceptable that Democrats in Congress are pushing for the release of foreign criminals back into our country.”
Further documents released by the Justice Department linked Abrego Garcia to a gang following a 2019 encounter. Police officers in Prince George’s County recounted an incident at a Home Depot in Hyattsville, Maryland, where Abrego Garcia was present among a group of individuals questioned by law enforcement. Two individuals identified as active MS-13 members were arrested during the encounter, and small plastic bottles containing marijuana were found. Abrego Garcia was reported to have been wearing a Chicago Bulls hat.
A man wearing a hoodie adorned with rolls of money was depicted as covering the eyes, ears, and mouth of the presidents on various currency denominations, symbolizing his allegiance to a gang. The report also referenced a confidential informant who identified Abrego Garcia as an active member of MS-13, known by the nickname “Chele.” When contacted by USA TODAY about the evidence of his affiliation with a designated terrorist group, White House deputy press secretary Harrison Fields expressed shock, questioning if Abrego Garcia’s status as an illegal immigrant and a history of domestic violence were not sufficient grounds. A judge had previously determined that Abrego Garcia would face persecution if returned to El Salvador.
Abrego Garcia’s mother, Cecelia, ran a pupusería out of their home in San Salvador before he migrated to the United States. Their business, Pupusería Cecilia, was targeted and extorted by the 18th Street gang, a rival of MS-13. Court documents revealed that Abrego Garcia was pressured to join the 18th Street gang before fleeing to the United States in 2011 as a teenager, accompanied by his brother Cesar. They crossed the border illegally and settled in Maryland, where Abrego Garcia has resided since then.
In 2019, an immigration judge ruled against deporting Abrego Garcia to El Salvador due to the threat of gang persecution. Senator Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., advocated for Abrego Garcia’s return after he was wrongfully deported to El Salvador.
This article was first published on USA TODAY and provides updates on the situation involving Abrego Garcia.
