On April 16, 2025, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland traveled to El Salvador in an effort to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was deported despite a U.S. Supreme Court order requiring his return. The case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing legal and political battle over immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
Abrego Garcia was deported last year after ICE agents allegedly ignored multiple court rulings. His removal was later declared illegal, and the Supreme Court ruled that he must be returned to the United States. However, Salvadoran authorities—backed by the Trump administration—have refused to comply with the court’s decision. Abrego Garcia remains imprisoned in a high-security facility in El Salvador.
Upon arriving in the country, Senator Van Hollen was denied access to speak with Abrego Garcia. He described the refusal as “deeply troubling” and called on both the Salvadoran government and the U.S. administration to honor the rule of law. “This is not just about one man—it’s about upholding our Constitution and our commitment to justice,” Van Hollen told reporters.
The case has sparked national attention, with civil rights advocates and legal experts condemning the Trump administration’s defiance of judicial authority. Critics argue that the refusal to return Abrego Garcia sets a dangerous precedent and erodes trust in the legal system.
Van Hollen has pledged to continue pressing for Garcia’s return and is seeking congressional action to hold those responsible for the illegal deportation accountable. The incident has further fueled tensions between the executive and judicial branches and underscored the international implications of U.S. immigration policy.
