Senator Chris Van Hollen (d-md.) A trip to visit an accidentally deported constituent to El Salvador has thrust mildly managed lawmakers into a massive battle with the Trump administration, in order to double his pledge to imprison Kilmer Abrego Garcia overseas.
Van Hollen embarked on the Central American nation on Wednesday after saying that if Abrego Garcia was not returned by the middle of the week he would travel there.
In doing so, Van Hollen traveled straight to the capital of the country, which rejected his request for the government to meet President Naive Buquere and vowed not to release Abrego Garcia.
“The case is not just one man, it is about protecting the constitutional rights of everyone living in the United States,” Van Hollen said at a press conference after landing at Dulles International Airport, appearing with members of Abrego Garcia’s family.
“So I traveled to El Salvador, departing here on Wednesday, and I would like to express my gratitude to my family and staff members.
Van Hollen achieved his main purpose in his trip with his encounter with Abrego Garcia. The senator did so despite being told such a visit was impossible, but physically blocked his vehicle by authorities when he tried to visit the infamous prison where his members were in custody.
For Van Hollen, the trip was a small step towards dealing with injustice after Abrego Garcia was sent to a Salvador prison, despite the immigration court in 2019 that prevented him from being deported to his home country.
And while the White House claims that Abrego Garcia is a member of MS-13, this claim is largely based on one secret hint that he is part of the gang’s New York branch. Democrats argue that some conflict details are important examples of why judicial review is needed before immigrants are driven away to foreign prisons.
On a 2,000-mile trip to San Salvador, Van Hollen was pushed back from the GOP, and White House border emperor Tom Hollman called the trip “unpleasant.”
“As opposed to caring for members of his state who are victims of illegal crimes in his state, he is planning to run to El Salvador to protect MS-13 terrorists,” Homan said. “I just don’t like that.”
Van Hollen was fired Friday and said he was fighting the MS-13.
Salvador officials repeatedly denied Van Hollen’s pleading earlier in the week, and Vice President Felix Ullore said on Wednesday he could not visit Cecot prison with such a short notice, and even a phone call would be impossible unless the US ambassador arranges it.
Undenied, Van Hollen attempted to visit the prison on Thursday.
“We were stopped by soldiers at a checkpoint about three kilometres from Secott Prison,” Van Hollen said at a subsequent press conference. “We were told by the soldiers that they had been ordered not to allow us to go further than that point.”
Van Hollen was preparing to leave the country that night the Salvador government became tolerant.
“He showed his colleagues in both the House and Senate that they had to start thinking outside the box and be more aggressive. It was a great move. He showed his colleagues… he has other options than going with what Trump and Elon want to do.”
“My hat is headed towards him. I don’t know if it will change the situation on this gentleman’s ground, but he can do much more than he’s ever done.”
Van Hollen’s trip came more than two weeks after Sen. Cory Booker (DN.J.) opened the floor for more than 25 hours to oppose many actions by the Trump administration, and gave him the longest speech in Chamber history in the process.
These are two main examples of what Democrats are looking for when they are looking for ways to push back Trump’s efforts across the federal government.
“What’s interesting about it is whether it shows… more,” Manly said. “To me, both of these activities show that Democrats are beginning to take a much more aggressive stance towards the Trump administration.”
Van Hollen’s trip also revealed information on the Abrego Garcia case and detention.
He said the Salvador government said Abrego Garcia had no criminal history in the country, and Uroa cited US funds as a rationale to keep him.
“His answer was that the Trump administration is paying the Salvador government to keep him at CECOT,” Van Hollen said at a press conference Wednesday so that the mountains surrounding San Salvador can be seen behind him.
Van Hollen said staff at the embassy on the ground were also not given orders to take action to promote Abrego Garcia’s return.
The Senator’s press conferences were frequently attended by Salvadoran media outlets, putting pressure on Bukere on the grass at his home.
Van Hollen claimed that the growing media attention had persuaded the government to change their minds and allow a meeting with Abrego Garcia.
“I think it’s pretty clear why they made them tolerant,” Van Hollen said Friday.
“While I was in El Salvador, we had two major press conferences, including local press that reported this, so I think they decided that it was not a good view to continue to hold Abrego Garcia, who no one has access to him.
Margaritas’ surprising delivery, which Van Hollen said neither man had touched, showed “the length President Bucchere did to deceive people what was going on.”
Van Hollen has been in the spotlight primarily during his Senate tenure, and says Manly is “a kind of quiet” for most of the last eight years.
“But he certainly made the move by going to El Salvador like this,” he said.
Rep. Glenn Evy (d-md.), who represents the district where Abrego Garcia lived with his wife and children of a US citizen, praised Van Hollen for his consistent pressure on the ground while being diplomatic.
“He’s a smart, dedicated and capable senator,” he said. “He grew up with a parent of foreign services. He knows the world better than most.”
It is not the first time that Van Hollen has rigged his humanitarian mission.
In January 2024, Van Hollen traveled to the Gaza Strip with Senator Jeff Markley (d-ore).
The visit prompted Van Hollen to improve access to humanitarian organisations seeking to support Palestinians. Van Hollen later drafted what became the Biden administration’s National Security Memorandum 20.
“It’s completely clear to talk to Chris at any time. He really cares about people. Over the years, we’ve taken on powerful benefits that harm our families and shed light on injustice around the world.
“Chris cares deeply about those who represent in the Senate, and promises that he will take their voices seriously, especially in times of injustice. Chris’ trip to El Salvador, his constituent Kilmer Abrego Garcia, perfectly represents serving injustice and enduring injustice wherever he is.”
Jennifer Vasquez Sula, wife of Abrego Garcia, said Van Hollen answered the prayers of her and her children.
“My children and my prayers have been answered. The efforts of my family and community to fight for justice are being heard because I know that my husband is alive now,” Sula said in a statement.
“We still have so many questions, hopes and fears. We will continue to pray and fight for Kilmer’s return,” she said.
Ivy also said he was relieved by Van Hollen’s report on Abrego Garcia’s well-being after the Trump administration failed to provide an update on his status requested in court.
“I think the court answers to how he was doing scared me. So I’m glad to see that he’s actually alive and healthy,” he said.
Abrego Garcia was later moved from CECOT and is now being held at another Salvador prison. However, Van Hollen said his ultimate goal remains to bring him home.
“He’s clearly in a terrible situation. Like I said, he’s going through trauma. He said he’s sad every day. But I think this persistence has given him the opportunity to meet him and get a little bit of his story,” Van Hollen said in Dulles.
“And I think it’s the first step to ultimately bringing him home, as the Constitution requires.”
