Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FLA.) announced that she will meet with El Salvador President Nayib Bukele next month, as the Central American country increasingly participates in the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
In a post on Tuesday, Luna provided a screenshot of the invitation and criticized Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who was the first congressional member to meet Kilmer Abrego Garcia, a person who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and initially placed in a security cemetery prison.
“I am privileged to accept a personal invitation to meet President Bukele,” she stated in her post. She further mentioned on Social Platform X, “Unlike Senator Van Hollen, who enjoyed Margaritas with cartel members, I aim to enhance partnerships between our countries and emphasize my dedication to advocating for human rights while fostering a collective commitment to safety, freedom, and national pride.”
“I eagerly await my meeting with @nayibbukele soon,” the Republican from Florida added.
The meeting between Luna and Bukele is slated for May 8th at the president’s official residence, as indicated in an invitation released by the House of Representatives.
Luna’s forthcoming trip to El Salvador follows last week’s visit by Jason Smith (R-Mo.), chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, who toured CECOT Prison with a group of House GOP lawmakers.
Four Democrats—Maxwell Frost (Fla.), Maxine Dexter (Oregon), Yassamine Ansari (Arizona), and Robert Garcia (Calif.)—also journeyed to El Salvador hoping to meet with Abrego Garcia, who asserted that the government is affiliated with the MS-13 gang. Abrego Garcia has not faced any criminal charges; he entered the country illegally, as stated by Attorney General Pam Bondy in a court document released last week.
Democrats claimed that the administration overlooked the Supreme Court’s directive to facilitate the return of Maryland residents, while Republicans viewed it as a triumph for both President Trump and their party.
“Certainly, it’s a win. The American public supports law enforcement. Common sense indicates this and is reflected in the polls. If Democrats wish to discuss MS-13 gang members, we are ready to address that,” a White House official informed The Hill.
