U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) recently traveled to El Salvador to advocate for the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was wrongfully deported and detained in the country’s notorious CECOT prison. Despite initial efforts being blocked by Salvadoran authorities, Van Hollen ultimately met with Abrego Garcia at his hotel, where the detainee recounted the trauma of his incarceration. El Salvador Now+11Reuters+11Los Angeles Times+11
Abrego Garcia, who held legal protected status in the U.S., was deported in March 2025 despite a court order preventing his removal. The Trump administration’s actions have been widely criticized, with the U.S. Supreme Court upholding a lower court’s ruling that the deportation was unlawful. Nevertheless, the administration has refused to facilitate his return, leading to a judicial standoff. Los Angeles Times+2New York Magazine+2The Guardian+2
During their meeting, Abrego Garcia described being held in overcrowded and isolated conditions at CECOT, a maximum-security prison known for its harsh treatment of inmates. He was later transferred to another facility with better conditions but remained cut off from the outside world. El Salvador Now+6Reuters+6Wikipedia+6
Van Hollen condemned both the U.S. and Salvadoran governments for their roles in Abrego Garcia’s illegal detention. He accused Salvadoran officials of misrepresenting the situation and revealed that the U.S. had paid El Salvador millions to detain him. The senator emphasized that the case highlights broader concerns about due process and constitutional rights for U.S. residents. LBC+7Reuters+7A News+7
The case has sparked national debate over immigration practices and the use of the death penalty, with some viewing Abrego Garcia as a symbol of broader frustrations over denied claims and medical costs. Los Angeles Times
As of now, Abrego Garcia remains in custody in El Salvador, with ongoing legal and diplomatic efforts aimed at securing his release and return to the United States.
