US Senator Advocates for 'Traumatized' Deportee After Meeting in El Salvador

In a recent trip to El Salvador, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen emphasized the plight of Kilmar Ábrego García, a Maryland resident who was mistakenly deported under the Trump administration. Ábrego García is currently held in the notorious Cecot prison, where he has expressed feelings of trauma and fear for his safety amid fellow inmates. Van Hollen revealed that after a week of distressing conditions, Ábrego García was transferred to a different facility in Santa Ana, where he still lacks communication with the outside world.

Facing allegations of gang affiliation with MS-13, which he and his family vehemently deny, Ábrego García's case has become a focal point in the ongoing debate over immigration policies and the Trump administration’s approach to deportations. Despite a Supreme Court ruling mandating his return, the White House continues to assert that he will not be allowed to return to the U.S. The senator criticized the administration's accusations and called for a more transparent legal process regarding Ábrego García's situation, underscoring the complex tensions between immigration enforcement and judicial orders.

Sen. Van Hollen described the current legal battle surrounding Ábrego García as vital, not only for his future but also for the integrity of the U.S. immigration system, urging that any claims made be properly addressed in court rather than through social media channels.

As the legal struggles continue, Ábrego García's family and advocates remain hopeful for a resolution that will enable him to return to Maryland after enduring such a traumatic experience.