Critics Condemn Van Hollen Over MS-13 Deportee

Senator Chris Van Hollen's trip to El Salvador to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported and held in a notorious Salvadoran prison, has provoked criticism from the White House, Republican officials, and victims' families. The Trump administration labels Abrego Garcia an MS-13 gang member and public safety threat, but a federal judge found the evidence of gang affiliation unsubstantiated and Garcia has not been convicted of any crime. A Supreme Court order directed the administration to facilitate Garcia's return, yet U.S. officials claim the matter is now under Salvadoran jurisdiction, with President Nayib Bukele refusing to intervene. Families of crime victims, such as Patty Morin—whose daughter was murdered by an MS-13 member—have condemned Van Hollen for allegedly prioritizing Garcia over American victims. Critics argue Van Hollen's actions are politically motivated and disregard national security, while some Democrats defend his efforts as a stand for due process. The case underscores sharp divisions in U.S. debates over immigration, gang violence, and government responsibilities.