Sen. Van Hollen Advocates for Erroneously Deported Maryland Resident
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen embarked on a diplomatic mission to El Salvador to seek the return of Kimar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported under the Trump administration. The senator, alongside other Democrats, is raising awareness about the circumstances surrounding Abrego Garcia’s deportation.
Van Hollen stated on social media, “Abrego Garcia was illegally abducted by the Trump Admin and, by their own admission, wrongly deported to El Salvador. He shouldn’t have to spend another second away from his family.”
The deportation contravened a 2019 court order that explicitly prohibited Abrego Garcia’s removal to El Salvador. Currently detained in the CECOT prison, he is in a facility where migrants are often held indefinitely, sometimes without formal charges.
The White House has acknowledged that the deportation stemmed from an “administrative error,” yet it claims no authority over the Salvadoran prison system and denies the capability to facilitate his return. They allege Abrego Garcia’s involvement with MS-13, a claim contested by his family and legal representatives due to lack of evidence.
Abrego Garcia’s wife refuted the accusations in an interview with ABC News, stating, “Everything they are saying is wrong. My husband is a loving father and what I know is that he’s an amazing husband, an amazing father. That’s who he truly is.”
Congressional Efforts Intensify
In a parallel move, Representatives Maxwell Frost of Florida and Robert Garcia of California urged the House Oversight Committee to deploy a congressional delegation to inspect conditions at CECOT prison. Their letter emphasizes the necessity of a welfare check on Abrego Garcia and other detainees.
The letter highlights the case of Andy José Hernandez, an LGBTQ makeup artist deported despite threats to his safety. California Governor Gavin Newsom has addressed a letter to the administration, advocating for Hernandez’s release, stating, “We are not a nation that sends people to be tortured and victimized in a foreign prison for public relations victories.”
In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court upheld a ruling mandating the White House to arrange Abrego Garcia’s return. However, a district judge highlighted the Trump administration’s inaction regarding this order.
Constitutional Concerns Raised
New Jersey Senator Cory Booker criticized President Trump for defying a court order, signaling a potential constitutional crisis. “The Supreme Court was clear: the Trump administration must act to facilitate the return of Kilmer Abrego Garcia to the United States,” Booker asserted.
Senator Andy Kim echoed these concerns, describing the President’s stance as a deliberate disregard for the rule of law.
Despite the growing pressure, Trump officials, including Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, intend to challenge the orders regarding Abrego Garcia’s return, anticipating further legal proceedings.
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