Four Democratic representatives traveled to El Salvador to seek the release of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported despite a court order against his deportation. Their visit aims to draw attention to issues surrounding immigration enforcement and due process, following an earlier visit by Senator Chris Van Hollen.
Democratic Lawmakers Advocate for Wrongfully Deported Maryland Resident in El Salvador
Democratic Lawmakers Advocate for Wrongfully Deported Maryland Resident in El Salvador
A congressional delegation arrives in El Salvador to press for the release of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man mistakenly deported there, highlighting the complexities of U.S. immigration policies.
A delegation of four Democratic lawmakers has landed in El Salvador with the mission of advocating for the release of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was wrongfully deported to the country. Congressman Robert Garcia from California, Maxwell Alejandro Frost from Florida, Yassamin Ansari from Arizona, and Maxine E. Dexter from Oregon are utilizing their trip to bring attention to the potential violations of due process in immigration enforcement, particularly under the previous Trump administration's policies.
The political trip follows Senator Chris Van Hollen's visit to El Salvador last week, where he was able to meet with Mr. Abrego Garcia after facing governmental resistance from President Nayib Bukele's administration. Mr. Garcia, who originally hails from El Salvador, had been living in Maryland with his family when he was detained and deported in March, along with over 200 others allegedly linked to gangs like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua.
Surprisingly, a court ruling in 2019 had already directed that Mr. Abrego Garcia should not be deported due to the significant risk he would face in El Salvador. Despite this, the Trump administration later acknowledged that his deportation was an error, yet claimed it was lawful. Currently, the situation remains contentious as a U.S. federal judge has ordered his return, a decision that the Supreme Court unanimously upheld this month.
On the ground in El Salvador, the delegation’s agenda includes discussions with U.S. Embassy officials and human rights organizations, focusing not only on Mr. Abrego Garcia's case but also on the broader implications of U.S. deportations and the conditions of other deported individuals in the region. The lawmakers strive to emphasize the gravity of the situation, insisting that actions such as the wrongful deportation of immigrants without due process are unacceptable and do not represent American values.
