Maryland Sen. Chris van Hollen said he had met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia and immigration officials said he was deported in El Salvador on Thursday.
Democratic senator shared a photo of a restaurant with Abrego Garcia.
“I said the main goal of this trip was to meet Kilma,” said Senator Van Hollen. “I had a chance tonight. I called his wife, Jennifer, to convey his love message. I look forward to providing a full update upon returning.”
El Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele also released photos of the meeting but suggested that Abrego Garcia remain imprisoned by his government: “Now that he has been confirmed to be healthy, he is honored to remain in custody in El Salvador.”
Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez, said in a statement after the meeting that her prayers had been answered. ”
“We still have a lot of problems, hope and fear. I will continue to fight for Kilma’s return home,” Vasquez wrote.
The surprise meeting with Van Hollen since last month was Abrego Garcia’s first appearance when he expelled El Salvador’s infamous terrorism imprisonment center, drew national attention and sparked a legal standoff with the Trump administration.
government admit Abrego Garcia was sent to El Salvador in court documents Hundreds Immigration in El Salvador and Venezuelan – due to “administrative error”. U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis orders the government to “promote” Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S., Supreme Court Support this orderBut he has been staying in El Salvador since then, and Sinis implies that the government has not complied with her orders and Requires regular updates About his identity.
The Trump administration backed down, believing it was based on El Salvador’s decision to return to Abrego Garcia – An argument The appeals court called it “shocking.”
Van Hollen meets Abrego Garcia The senator was turned away Thursday at a military checkpoint. Near the prisons in El Salvador. He said he was about three kilometers away from the infamous man Supermax Prison, known as Cecot, When he was stopped by soldiers, he said he was ordered to stop him from going to prison.
Van Hollen headed to El Salvador on Wednesday to check The well-being of Abrego Garcia. He provides the latest news about the journey.
“My overall purpose is to send a signal that we won’t stop fighting for his return,” Van Hollen said before the flight.
