Senator Van Hollen's Visit to Deported Salvadoran Migrant Blocked in El Salvador

Senator Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador seeking to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man deported from the US amid accusations of MS-13 gang ties, but was initially denied access to the prison where Garcia is held. Van Hollen's visit comes after US courts, including the Supreme Court, ordered the government to facilitate Garcia's return, acknowledging his deportation as an administrative error and noting his prior protected status in the US. The Trump administration has argued that Garcia is a criminal and that his deportation is part of broader efforts to reduce crime, though his lawyers and some Democrats claim there is no evidence of gang affiliation and criticize the lack of due process. The case has become a partisan flashpoint, with Democrats highlighting concerns over due process and Republicans defending the deportation as necessary for public safety. Despite being blocked from the prison, Van Hollen ultimately met with Garcia outside the facility and vowed to continue advocating for his rights. El Salvador's government, however, has stated it cannot return Garcia to the US, further complicating the ongoing legal and diplomatic dispute.