Four Democratic lawmakers, including Representatives Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Robert Garcia, Yassamin Ansari, and Maxine E. Dexter, have arrived in El Salvador to advocate for the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was mistakenly deported. Their visit follows a previous trip by Senator Chris Van Hollen, who met with Garcia last week in El Salvador after negotiations with the Salvadoran government.
"While Donald Trump continues to defy the Supreme Court, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being held illegally in El Salvador after being wrongfully deported," said Garcia, emphasizing the principle of due process. The lawmakers' mission comes in light of the Supreme Court’s order mandating the government to facilitate Abrego's return, a decision which the Trump administration has since attempted to undermine.
Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran native, had been residing in Maryland with his family until his detention and subsequent deportation last month—a move that attracted controversy due to his legal status. A judge had previously ruled against his deportation in 2019, citing significant danger should he return to El Salvador. In fact, despite the Trump administration's admission of a mistaken deportation, officials now maintain that it was legal and shift the responsibility of return to El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele.
On April 10, the Supreme Court upheld a federal judge's ruling for Abrego's return, but the U.S. government has yet to act upon it. Recently, the Justice Department revealed that Abrego Garcia has been transferred out of a high-security prison and is now held at Centro Industrial in Santa Ana, El Salvador.
During their visit, the lawmakers plan to meet with U.S. Embassy officials and local human rights organizations to further discuss Abrego's situation and the status of other immigrants in similar circumstances. Their collective aim is not only to advocate for Garcia’s release but also to highlight broader issues regarding U.S. deportation policies and immigrant rights.
"While Donald Trump continues to defy the Supreme Court, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being held illegally in El Salvador after being wrongfully deported," said Garcia, emphasizing the principle of due process. The lawmakers' mission comes in light of the Supreme Court’s order mandating the government to facilitate Abrego's return, a decision which the Trump administration has since attempted to undermine.
Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran native, had been residing in Maryland with his family until his detention and subsequent deportation last month—a move that attracted controversy due to his legal status. A judge had previously ruled against his deportation in 2019, citing significant danger should he return to El Salvador. In fact, despite the Trump administration's admission of a mistaken deportation, officials now maintain that it was legal and shift the responsibility of return to El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele.
On April 10, the Supreme Court upheld a federal judge's ruling for Abrego's return, but the U.S. government has yet to act upon it. Recently, the Justice Department revealed that Abrego Garcia has been transferred out of a high-security prison and is now held at Centro Industrial in Santa Ana, El Salvador.
During their visit, the lawmakers plan to meet with U.S. Embassy officials and local human rights organizations to further discuss Abrego's situation and the status of other immigrants in similar circumstances. Their collective aim is not only to advocate for Garcia’s release but also to highlight broader issues regarding U.S. deportation policies and immigrant rights.
