Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) expressed relief regarding Kilmer Abrego Garcia’s return to Maryland after he was mistakenly deported and held in a prison in El Salvador. Van Hollen referred to this as a positive outcome for the rule of law.
The Trump administration had significantly increased deportations and accused Abrego Garcia of illegally coming to the U.S. from El Salvador in 2011. However, he had been granted protection from removal, citing gang-related threats back home. His legal representatives refuted these claims and worked towards his return to the United States.
On Friday, Attorney General Pam Bondy announced that, after a lengthy legal struggle, Abrego Garcia had been returned to the U.S. to face charges linked to a traffic incident in Tennessee from 2022.
“This is a win for due process and the Constitution. It’s disheartening that it took so long, showing the Trump administration’s disregard for a unanimous Supreme Court ruling,” he noted.
Van Hollen emphasized the importance of Abrego Garcia receiving proper legal treatment upon his return.
Maryland lawmakers attempted to visit him, but, according to White House officials, he was first evaluated for his well-being and to discuss his release from El Salvador.
Van Hollen remarked that the case should have been contested legally before the deportation occurred. “If they intended to bring this to court, it should have happened right after he was removed from Maryland and imprisoned in El Salvador,” he stated.
He added that this case is significant, not just for Abrego Garcia, but for all individuals with similar rights. “I believe every American recognizes the importance of ensuring that everyone has legal protections,” he said.
Abrego Garcia’s attorneys argued that the charges against him were merely a continuation of the unwarranted persecution he has faced. “This reflects a persistent manipulation of the legal process. Due process should allow individuals to defend themselves prior to facing consequences. This isn’t about justice; it’s an abuse of authority,” they contended.
“The government needs to ensure he has a fair trial, but it should happen before the same immigration judge who addressed his case back in 2019 to guarantee proper handling of his situation,” they added.
