Importance Score: 72 / 100 🔴
US Senator Reports on Maryland Man’s Detention in El Salvador After Erroneous Deportation
A Maryland resident, mistakenly deported to El Salvador by the previous US administration, has been transferred to a different correctional facility, according to US Senator Chris Van Hollen. The senator’s update follows his recent visit to El Salvador, where he met with Kilmar Ábrego García, who had been incarcerated in the infamous Cecot mega-prison last month.
Senator’s Visit and Concerns for Deportee
Senator Van Hollen, a Democrat representing Maryland, described Mr. Ábrego García as “traumatized” and fearful while held in the Cecot (Center for the Confinement of Terrorism) prison. He stated that Mr. Ábrego García was relocated to another detention center in El Salvador over a week prior to their meeting.
The US Supreme Court has mandated the government to “facilitate” Mr. Ábrego García’s return to the United States. However, officials from the prior administration have continued to resist this court order.
White House Accusations and Deportee’s Defense
The White House maintains its position, alleging Mr. Ábrego García’s affiliation with MS-13, a transnational Salvadoran gang designated as a foreign terrorist organization. They have asserted he will not be permitted to return to the US.
Conversely, Mr. Ábrego García has no criminal convictions. His family and legal representatives vehemently deny any connection to MS-13.
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Senator Van Hollen initially encountered obstacles in securing a meeting with Mr. Ábrego García from Salvadoran authorities. Subsequently, he acknowledged the assistance of government officials in arranging the meeting, which took place at the senator’s hotel.
First Communication and Prison Conditions
“His conversation with me marked his first communication with anyone outside of prison since his detention,” Senator Van Hollen stated.
“He expressed profound sadness about being imprisoned, stating he had not committed any crimes.”
Senator Van Hollen indicated that the conditions in the new prison, located in Santa Ana, El Salvador, are improved.
“He remains without access to external news and has no means of communication with the outside world,” Van Hollen added.
Legal and Political Conflict
Mr. Ábrego García’s case is central to an escalating conflict between the previous administration and the US judicial system regarding immigration policies.
A separate legal dispute has emerged, with a judge raising the possibility of holding the prior administration in contempt for “deliberate defiance” of a court order preventing deportation flights.
Supreme Court Ruling Contradicted by White House
Despite multiple judicial rulings, including a unanimous decision by the US Supreme Court, directing the government to facilitate Mr. Ábrego García’s return to the US, the White House has maintained its stance that the Maryland man will “never” reside in the US again.
“Should he [Mr. Ábrego García] ever return to the United States, he would be immediately deported once more,” stated White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Past Allegations and Gang Affiliation Claims
Former President Donald Trump told reporters that Mr. Ábrego García was “not a very innocent guy”.
Mr. Ábrego García has been subject to at least two other allegations of unlawful activity, neither of which resulted in convictions.
In a 2021 protective order request, his wife alleged physical assault on multiple occasions, according to documents released by the US Department of Homeland Security.
Jennifer Vasquez Sura later decided against pursuing the court process, stating that she and her husband were “able to resolve this matter privately as a family, including through counseling”.
Another incident occurred in 2022 when Mr. Ábrego García was stopped in Tennessee for alleged speeding.
An officer speculated about potential involvement in human trafficking, citing the presence of multiple passengers and Mr. Ábrego García’s statement about traveling from Texas to Maryland, based on information from the Department of Homeland Security obtained by CBS, a news partner.
No criminal charges arose from this incident. His wife clarified that he “worked in construction and occasionally transported groups of workers between job sites”.
Alien Enemies Act and Deportation
The core issue in this case remains the allegations of MS-13 involvement, which the previous administration utilized to deport him under the Alien Enemies Act.
The former president has invoked this law to deport hundreds, arguing that alleged gang members are terrorists.
Senator Van Hollen accused the prior administration of attempting to “misrepresent the facts of this case”.
“If there are legitimate claims against Ábrego García, they should be presented in court, not disseminated on social media,” he asserted.
Mr. Ábrego García was apprehended by immigration authorities in Baltimore on March 12, before being deported from Texas to El Salvador on March 15.