The lawmakers' visit underscores ongoing concerns over the due process of deportations and the treatment of immigrants.
Democratic Lawmakers Push for Release of Wrongfully Deported Maryland Resident in El Salvador
Democratic Lawmakers Push for Release of Wrongfully Deported Maryland Resident in El Salvador
Four U.S. Representatives arrive in El Salvador to advocate for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man wrongly deported amid claims of governmental negligence.
Four Democratic lawmakers made their way to El Salvador on Sunday, intent on advocating for the release of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident wrongfully deported to the country. Representatives Robert Garcia (California), Maxwell Alejandro Frost (Florida), Yassamin Ansari (Arizona), and Maxine E. Dexter (Oregon) seek to draw attention to the Biden administration's failure to comply after a Supreme Court ruling ordering Mr. Abrego Garcia’s return.
Representative Garcia emphasized the urgency of their trip, stating, “Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being held illegally in El Salvador after being wrongfully deported. This is not how we treat immigrants in America.” This advocacy follows a recent visit by Senator Chris Van Hollen, who met with Mr. Abrego Garcia last week despite initial resistance from the Salvadoran government.
Originally from El Salvador, Mr. Abrego Garcia had been residing in Maryland with his family until his detention and subsequent deportation last month along with over 200 others accused of gang affiliations. Despite entering the United States illegally, he had a judge's ruling from 2019 preventing his deportation due to the dangers he would face in El Salvador.
The Trump administration acknowledged the deportation error, however, they later asserted that it was lawful. Following the Supreme Court's decision on April 10, a federal judge in Maryland ordered his return, yet U.S. officials state the matter now rests with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.
Recent updates noted that Mr. Abrego Garcia has been moved from the Terrorism Confinement Center to another facility known as Centro Industrial in Santa Ana, El Salvador. The congressional group plans to meet with U.S. Embassy personnel and local human rights organizations on Monday to explore the broader issues surrounding deportations and the conditions faced by others in similar situations.
Representative Garcia emphasized the urgency of their trip, stating, “Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being held illegally in El Salvador after being wrongfully deported. This is not how we treat immigrants in America.” This advocacy follows a recent visit by Senator Chris Van Hollen, who met with Mr. Abrego Garcia last week despite initial resistance from the Salvadoran government.
Originally from El Salvador, Mr. Abrego Garcia had been residing in Maryland with his family until his detention and subsequent deportation last month along with over 200 others accused of gang affiliations. Despite entering the United States illegally, he had a judge's ruling from 2019 preventing his deportation due to the dangers he would face in El Salvador.
The Trump administration acknowledged the deportation error, however, they later asserted that it was lawful. Following the Supreme Court's decision on April 10, a federal judge in Maryland ordered his return, yet U.S. officials state the matter now rests with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.
Recent updates noted that Mr. Abrego Garcia has been moved from the Terrorism Confinement Center to another facility known as Centro Industrial in Santa Ana, El Salvador. The congressional group plans to meet with U.S. Embassy personnel and local human rights organizations on Monday to explore the broader issues surrounding deportations and the conditions faced by others in similar situations.
