Democrats Amplify Efforts to Assist Sen. Van Hollen in Bringing Accused Gang Member Back from El Salvador

Democrats Amplify Efforts to Assist Sen. Van Hollen in Bringing Accused Gang Member Back from El Salvador

A growing number of congressional Democrats are voicing support for Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s initiative to secure the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an imprisoned deportee and alleged MS-13 member, back to Maryland. These lawmakers are seeking to travel to El Salvador to further this cause.

As of Thursday morning, Sen. Van Hollen, representing Maryland, was still in Central America. He faced a setback on Wednesday when Salvadoran Vice President Felix Ulloa denied his request for assistance in contacting or releasing Garcia.

Rep. Yassamin Ansari from Arizona announced on Thursday that she plans to join Van Hollen, aiming to bolster his efforts during her trip to El Salvador. In a statement, she remarked, “Kilmar Abrego Garcia should be home in Maryland right now. His illegal abduction and the dismissal of the Supreme Court’s ruling is deeply disturbing. Our rights shouldn’t be revoked to propagate Trump’s authoritarian agenda. This is a constitutional crisis.”

Concerns Raised Over Constitutional Rights

Ansari emphasized the alarming implications of Garcia’s situation, citing potential consequences for other American citizens. She asserted that if Garcia can face such a predicament, it could befall any individual. “I refuse to sit back and watch it happen here, too,” she added. “That’s why I plan to join my colleagues in traveling to El Salvador to visit Mr. Garcia and ensure Trump’s war on our Constitution and due process stops here.”

Requests for Congressional Delegation

Two other lawmakers, Reps. Maxwell Frost from Florida and Robert Garcia from California, reached out to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky. They requested authorization for a congressional delegation to visit Tecoluca, El Salvador, home to the El Salvadoran mega prison known as the Terrorism Confinement Center.

In their letter, they highlighted that Garcia, a Salvadoran national, was legally living and working in Maryland and was subject to a 2019 withholding order from an immigration judge, which prohibited his removal to El Salvador. They insisted that a congressional delegation would facilitate a welfare check not just on Garcia but also on other detainees at CECOT.

Senator Cory Booker Joins the Effort

Reports suggest that Sen. Cory Booker from New Jersey plans to travel to CECOT as well. However, there has been no response yet from his office to inquiries from news sources seeking comments on this matter.

Democratic Lawmakers Demand Accountability

Rep. Delia Ramirez from Illinois, a member of the progressive “Squad,” also reached out to House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green, a Republican from Tennessee, demanding her own authorization for a trip to El Salvador. She underscored her concern over the alleged illegal and unconstitutional deportations linked to CECOT, which she claimed are filled with “administrative errors.”

While not part of the request sent to Congressman Comer, Ansari expressed urgency on Twitter. She noted that “we need answers now” from the government and indicated her readiness to join Van Hollen, Frost, and Garcia in demanding Garcia’s release.

Republican Officials React

Simultaneously, at least two Republican lawmakers made their way to CECOT, albeit for different purposes. Rep. Riley Moore from West Virginia shared a photo on social media following a tour of the prison. He reported that many inmates were “extremely violent” recent deportees from the U.S. and stated, “I leave now even more determined to support President Trump’s efforts to secure our homeland.”

Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, Jason Smith from Missouri, criticized Van Hollen’s efforts in a post made from the prison, claiming it is “unconscionable that Democrats in Congress are urging the release of more foreign criminals back into our country.”

New Documents from Homeland Security

This week, the Department of Homeland Security released documents asserting that Abrego Garcia, currently incarcerated at CECOT due to his deportation, is indeed a member of the notorious MS-13 gang. Garcia’s attorneys categorically deny this assertion.

Additionally, records from a district court in Prince George’s County, Maryland, reportedly indicate that he has a history of violence, including being described as a “violent” repeat offender by his wife.

Ongoing Dialogue with Lawmakers

Fox News Digital has reached out to lawmakers including Booker, Frost, Balint, Ramirez, and Garcia to seek their perspectives on the ongoing situation surrounding Garcia.

The commitment by multiple Democratic lawmakers to travel to El Salvador manifests their determination to address what they regard as critical legal and constitutional issues surrounding immigration and deportation practices, while raising the stakes in a contentious political climate.

Future Implications for Immigration Policy

The actions taken by Democrats highlight broader concerns regarding the legal protections of immigrants, particularly in cases where their rights might conflict with current administration policies. As the situation evolves, it remains crucial to observe how these engagements will influence legislation concerning immigration reform and the treatment of deportees.

The increasing involvement of lawmakers, particularly in such a controversial context, sheds light on the complexities and challenges facing representatives as they navigate their roles in protecting citizen rights and upholding due process.