Chris van Hollen met Kilmar Abrago Garcia in El Salvador; Trump again said he belongs to a gang
The senator (Democratic Party, Maryland) said Kilmar Abreggo Garcia, deported by mistake by the United States to El Salvador, suffers from psychological impacts after being held in the country.
Van Hollen in a maximum security arrest in El Salvador on Thursday (17.br.2025), shortly before his transfer to another unit.
According to the senator, the detainee reported that “He was not afraid of the other prisoners in his cell, but he was traumatized to be in Cecot [Centro de Confinamento do Terrorismo] and afraid of many detainees from other blocks, who shouted and mocked him in various ways”.
Watch the press conference of Van Hollen (38min20s):
I went to El Salvador hoping to meet with Kilmar & check on his well-being, and I had the chance to do that last night.
Our courts have been clear: this was an ILLEGAL abduction. I’m speaking now about my meeting with Kilmar & our work to bring him home:
– Senator Chris van Hollen (@ChrisvanHollen)
The case of Salvadorenho, a legal resident in Maryland, gained prominence after his deportation in March, resulting from an administrative error recognized by the president’s government (Republican Party).
During a press conference granted on his arrival in the US, alongside family members of Abrego Garcia, the senator highlighted the conditions of prison and the emotional effects of prolonged detention.
“If you deny a man’s constitutional rights, he threatens constitutional rights and due process for all others in America”Said Van Hollen. The Democratic Senator of Visiting Abrego Garcia, but later obtained permission to find him.
Vague Garcia became a symbol of the failures in. Van Hollen stated that his trip aimed to assist in the return of Salvadoran and verify procedural violations.
Although the US Supreme Court has determined that the government must “facilitate”The return of Abrego Garcia to the country after his deportation was considered illegal, the US President.
Trump on Friday (18.abr) that Vugo Garcia had ties with the gang – Mara Salvatrucha – an accusation contested by her lawyers and considered “fragileFor the American court. The White House used the case to reinforce its rhetoric against the Democrats and defend more rigorous migratory policies.
The MS-13 is a gang that emerged in Los Angeles in the 1980s and initially sought to protect Salvadorenhos immigrants.
Van Hollen mentioned complaints about a financial agreement between the governments of Trump and President Salvadorenho, which would involve the payment of $ 15 million for the detention of foreigners, including Abrego Garcia. Of the value, US $ 4 million would have been transferred.
Bukele, who is close to Trump, stated that he opens Garcia.
The visit took place after international criticism of CECOT conditions, where the Bukele government has kept thousands of detainees. Organizations such as pointing out human rights violations and lack of minimum legal guarantees in the prison complex.
Read more about the opening case Garcia:
