US Senator Meets Deported Maryland Man Held in El Salvador Mega-Prison

In a story that’s grabbing headlines across the U.S., Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to meet a man wrongfully deported by U.S. immigration officials. The man, Kilmar Ábrego García, was sent to a notorious mega-prison in El Salvador — even though a federal court had ruled to stop his removal.

Senator Van Hollen posted photos of the meeting and shared a heartfelt message from Mr. Ábrego García to his wife, Jennifer, in Maryland.

Who Is Kilmar Ábrego García?

Kilmar Ábrego García was living in Maryland when, on March 15, he was deported to El Salvador and locked inside Cecot — a maximum-security facility also known as the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism. The Trump administration now admits his deportation was an "administrative error," but they still refuse to bring him back to the U.S., despite a federal judge's clear order.

His lawyers argue that he has no criminal record, no gang affiliation, and no ties to the notorious MS-13 gang — despite the White House’s claims.

Court Battle Heating Up

The legal fight over Mr. Ábrego García’s case has reached the highest levels. A federal court recently ruled against the Trump administration, calling out the deportation as a violation of basic rights.

In their sharp decision, a panel of judges wrote:

"The government is asserting a right to stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process that is the foundation of our constitutional order."

Following this, the Supreme Court ordered the government to facilitate his return to the United States.

A Heated Political Clash

Despite this ruling, the White House is standing its ground. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “He will never live in the United States of America,” referring to Mr. Ábrego García.

The administration also brought up a restraining order filed by Mr. Ábrego García’s wife in 2021, which included allegations of domestic violence. However, she has since told reporters that the couple worked through their issues with the help of counseling and are now standing strong together.

The Senator’s Personal Mission

Senator Van Hollen said his main goal in visiting El Salvador was to see Mr. Ábrego García in person. On social media, he posted:

"Tonight I had that chance. I’ve spoken with his wife and passed along his message of love. I’ll share more details once I return home."

He also shared that on his way to Cecot prison, he was stopped by armed guards — a moment that showed just how tense the situation has become.

No Release in Sight

During his trip, Van Hollen also met with El Salvador’s vice president, asking them to allow Mr. Ábrego García to leave the prison. The request was denied.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele later shared photos of the meeting on social media and mocked those who feared Mr. Ábrego García had died in prison.

"Now that he's been confirmed healthy," Bukele wrote, "he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador's custody."

This sarcastic tone has drawn criticism, especially as human rights groups raise concerns about the harsh conditions inside Cecot.

Family Reacts With Hope

Back in Maryland, Mr. Ábrego García’s wife celebrated the news of the meeting. She called it a hopeful sign and said her prayers had been answered.

But she also added that the family still has many questions and won’t stop fighting until her husband returns home.

The Bigger Picture

This case isn’t just about one man. It’s about a growing battle between the U.S. court system and the executive branch of government. Legal experts are calling it a test of constitutional rights, due process, and immigration enforcement.

Meanwhile, Democrats and Republicans are deeply divided over the issue. The White House called the senator’s visit “disgusting,” accusing Democrats of siding with a supposed gang member. But no evidence has been presented to show Mr. Ábrego García is part of MS-13, and his legal team strongly denies the claims.

What’s Next?

With the court ruling now in place, all eyes are on the U.S. government. Will they follow the order and bring Kilmar Ábrego García back home?

For now, he remains in El Salvador — caught in the middle of a political and legal storm. His family waits. His lawyers fight. And a U.S. senator returns home, determined to share what he saw and push for justice.

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This information is sourced from BBC