Congressional Delegation Visits El Salvador, Advocates for Wrongfully Deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia

A delegation of Democratic lawmakers, led by Rep. Yassamin Ansari, traveled to El Salvador in an effort to secure the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a longtime Maryland resident who was deported by mistake without a hearing, despite a court order protecting him. Salvadoran authorities denied the group's request to meet with Abrego Garcia, and the lawmakers were unable to determine his whereabouts, but they did meet with his wife and legal representatives. The Biden White House criticized the visit, accusing the lawmakers of prioritizing a deported individual over their American constituents, while Ansari and her colleagues emphasized the importance of due process regardless of immigration status. Despite allegations from federal authorities linking Abrego Garcia to gang activity, his wife and supporters deny any such affiliation, and he has not been charged with related crimes. The lawmakers criticized both the Trump administration for failing to comply with a Supreme Court order to facilitate his return and the Salvadoran government for refusing access. The case has drawn broader attention to the U.S. government's handling of immigrant rights and deportations.