Senator Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador for a meeting with detained foreign national Abrego Garcia. The visit drew political attention as President Bukele made clear that Garcia will remain in custody and would not be released to the United States.
Key Facts: Van Hollen Gets His Photo Op Meeting With Garcia
- Senator Chris Van Hollen visited El Salvador to meet with detained national Abrego Garcia.
- President Nayib Bukele stated Garcia will remain in Salvadoran custody and will not be extradited.
- Garcia is reportedly linked to MS-13 and has a domestic violence allegation from his wife.
- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration must help facilitate Garcia’s return.
- El Salvador is paid by the U.S. to imprison criminals like Garcia but considers him a citizen.
The Rest of the Story: El Salvador President Says Garcia Will Remain There in Jail
Senator Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador in an effort to visit Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national currently imprisoned under allegations of violent criminal activity and gang connections.
Garcia’s case has drawn some attention in Washington due to claims surrounding his immigration status and the legal handling of his detention abroad.
Despite the attention, President Nayib Bukele made it clear during the senator’s visit that Garcia will not be released.
Bukele said that as a Salvadoran citizen, Garcia will face justice in his home country and will not be turned over to the United States.
Now that he’s been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody 🇺🇸🤝🏼🇸🇻 https://t.co/2xVt4SNOGn
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) April 18, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration must facilitate Garcia’s return to the US but holds no jurisdiction over El Salvador’s sovereign decisions.
Commentary: Van Hollen’s Mission is a Political Photo Op at Taxpayer Expense
Van Hollen’s trip looks more like a publicity stunt than a real diplomatic mission.
Taxpayers footed the bill so he could stand in front of cameras and appear “tough on justice” while meeting with a man facing serious allegations.
I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return. pic.twitter.com/U9y2gZpxCb
— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) April 18, 2025
Garcia has been tied to MS-13, one of the most dangerous gangs in the world. His own wife has accused him of domestic violence.
It’s hard to see why any U.S. official would spend valuable time and resources on a foreign national like this.
There are Americans unjustly imprisoned across the globe, yet this senator chose to focus on someone with no U.S. citizenship and a record of alleged violent crime.
President Bukele has made the responsible choice. Garcia is a citizen of El Salvador, and he intends to keep him behind bars.
There is no reason to release a man with gang ties and violence allegations just because a U.S. senator wants a feel-good story for his next campaign.
The Trump administration has done little to demand Garcia’s return but has made every effort to inform the public of the illegal allegations against Garcia.
The Supreme Court holds no sway in El Salvador so despite America paying El Salvador to detain these prisoners their President still has the final say.
This entire event should prompt a larger discussion: Why are U.S. politicians spending our money to try to retrieve dangerous criminals who never belonged here in the first place?
The Bottom Line: Why This Photo Op Leaves Americans Questioning Priorities
Senator Van Hollen’s trip to El Salvador may have offered a few good pictures, but it accomplished nothing meaningful.
President Bukele refuses to hand over Abrego Garcia, and rightfully so.
Meanwhile, American taxpayer money was used to support a trip that had no legal or diplomatic outcome.
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