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Senator’s El Salvador Trip Sparks Controversy Over Meeting with Deported Migrant
Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat representing Maryland, visited El Salvador and engaged with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an individual deported from the U.S. and alleged to have ties to MS-13. Their meeting, where they were photographed with drinks resembling margaritas, ignited online criticism.
Meeting with Deported Individual and Margarita Images Trigger Online Backlash
Senator Van Hollen’s meeting with Abrego Garcia in El Salvador occurred on Thursday. Abrego Garcia was deported by the previous administration in March, despite a court order intended to prevent his removal. The controversy escalated when images surfaced appearing to show the senator and Abrego Garcia drinking what were described as margaritas.
President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador commented on the situation, stating, ‘Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the “death camps” & “torture,” now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!’ This remark amplified the online disapproval.
Social Media Reaction and Missing Image
Pro-Trump social media accounts, including Libs of TikTok, heavily criticized Senator Van Hollen for what they depicted as a friendly interaction with a ‘deported thug.’ Critics on X (formerly Twitter) pointed out that Senator Van Hollen’s official post about the meeting omitted the photograph showing the margarita glasses.
One user responded directly to the senator’s post, highlighting the image shared by President Bukele and questioning, ‘Hey Chris!! This is the real picture. How were those margaritas??? President Bukele posted this one. No hiding the truth from America.’
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Another post read: ‘Senator Chris Van Hollen and Kilmar Abrego Garcia sipping margaritas with salted rims…Thirsty Thursday in El Salvador.’
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen pictured with deported migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia, with beverages identified by some as margaritas.
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele shared the photo of the drinks, suggesting they were alcoholic.
Senator Van Hollen’s Response and Deportation Status
Senator Van Hollen has yet to publicly address the social media criticism. In his post about the meeting, he mentioned conveying a message of ‘love’ from Abrego Garcia to his wife. The senator did not provide updates on Abrego Garcia’s situation, while his legal team continues to challenge the administration to facilitate his return to the U.S.
Trump Administration’s Position
A representative for the Trump administration maintained their stance, asserting that Senator Van Hollen is prioritizing an ‘illegal alien MS-13 terrorist’ over his constituents. Kush Desai stated, ‘Chris Van Hollen has firmly established Democrats as the party whose top priority is the welfare of an illegal alien MS-13 terrorist. It is truly disgusting. President Trump will continue to stand on the side of law-abiding Americans.’
President Bukele’s post on X concluded with emojis of the U.S. and El Salvador flags and a handshake emoji. A spokesperson for El Salvador’s presidency offered no further comment.
Denied Prison Entry and Earlier Events
The meeting followed Senator Van Hollen’s earlier claim that he was denied entry to a high-security prison in El Salvador. He stated he was attempting to assess Abrego Garcia’s well-being and advocate for his release. Senator Van Hollen reported at a San Salvador news conference that soldiers stopped his vehicle at a checkpoint approximately two miles from the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), while allowing other vehicles to proceed. ‘They stopped us because they are under orders not to allow us to proceed,’ Senator Van Hollen stated.
Senator Van Hollen in El Salvador to advocate for Abrego Garcia’s release, who the Trump administration accuses of MS-13 affiliation.
Abrego Garcia was deported to an El Salvador prison in March despite a court order against deportation.
Senator Van Hollen did not update on Abrego Garcia’s status (pictured). His lawyers are pursuing his return to the U.S.
Abrego Garcia’s Background and Legal Status
Abrego Garcia initially entered the U.S. without authorization in 2011. In 2019, a judge prevented his deportation to El Salvador, citing threats from gang members, but permitted deportation elsewhere. However, recent court filings from the Trump administration state that his deportation to El Salvador was an error. The Supreme Court has since mandated the administration to facilitate his return to the U.S.
Court Intervention and Judicial Branch Stand
A panel of judges from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a request to suspend a judge’s order for Trump administration officials to provide sworn testimony. This testimony aims to determine if they are complying with the court’s directive to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return.
The court issued a strong statement against the Trump administration’s claims of inability to free Garcia or return him to the U.S., stating it ‘should be shocking to the intuitive sense of liberty that Americans far removed from courthouses still hold dear.’ Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III, a Reagan appointee, emphasized the clarity of the situation and expressed hope in the Executive Branch’s respect for the rule of law.
Allegations of Gang Affiliation and Domestic Issues
Trump administration officials maintain Abrego Garcia is not innocent and is affiliated with MS-13, justifying his deportation. Additionally, a 2021 petition for protection from domestic violence, filed by Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez, indicated instances of domestic abuse.
Senator Van Hollen posted a photo of the meeting, stating he contacted Abrego Garcia’s wife and conveyed a message.
Ms. Vasquez told The Post her petition was a precaution following a disagreement, ‘in case things escalated’ due to past abuse. She clarified, ‘Things did not escalate, and I decided not to follow through with the civil court process. We were able to work through this situation privately as a family, including by going to counseling,’ and affirmed their marriage grew stronger.
Political Reactions and Victim’s Family Criticism
Democrats have expressed strong disapproval of Abrego Garcia’s deportation, with Senator Van Hollen’s visit intended to seek resolution. However, Republicans and conservative voices have criticized his efforts. The mother of Rachel Morin, a woman murdered by an undocumented immigrant, criticized Senator Van Hollen.
She stated, ‘Senator Van Hollen has done more to bring a MS-13 gang member, human trafficker and illegal alien back to Maryland than he has to help keep his American constituents safe or advocate for the victims of these vicious gangs like MS-13.’
The Department of Homeland Security posted on X, ‘While Senator Van Hollen and the mainstream media peddle a sob story about a brutal MS-13 gang member, Secretary Noem stands with the victims of illegal alien crime, like Maryland mom Rachel Morin.’
A 2021 domestic violence protection petition filed by Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez (pictured), detailed past abuse allegations.
Patty Morin criticized the lack of communication from state officials after her daughter’s murder. Speaking on Fox News, she expressed anger and sadness, stating Senator Van Hollen and other Democratic officials did not contact her family or offer condolences after her daughter’s murder.
Victor Martinez-Hernandez, Rachel Morin’s killer, was convicted of murder, rape, and kidnapping and awaits sentencing.
Abrego Garcia’s Arrival in El Salvador and Deportation Context
Abrego Garcia, a legal resident, arrived at the CECOT prison in El Salvador on March 15. He first entered the U.S. in 2011 and was granted permission to remain in 2019, settling in Maryland with his wife and son. The Trump administration deported him based on alleged MS-13 connections. His family and lawyer deny these connections and challenged his removal.
Abrego Garcia (pictured), a legal resident, arrived at the high-security CECOT prison in El Salvador on March 15.
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen addresses the press in El Salvador, requesting Abrego Garcia’s release.
Initially describing his removal as an error, the Trump administration later stood firm. During a meeting, President Trump supported President Bukele’s refusal to return Abrego Garcia, with President Bukele stating he could not ‘smuggle a terrorist into the United States.’ President Trump also encouraged President Bukele to build more prisons.