Sen. Chris Van Hollen meets with Kilmar Abrego Garcia as Trump fights to keep him in El Salvador
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Van Hollen Meets Deported Man in El Salvador
Above: U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen speaks during a press conference at a hotel in San Salvador on April 17, 2025. Image copyright: Marvin Recinos/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
Van Hollen has his priorities backward. He's showing more concern for a suspected gang member who was in the United States illegally than he has for those who have been victimized by migrant crime. Beyond the humanitarian aspect of this, polling shows Americans are in favor of Trump's efforts to rid the country of illegal immigrants, putting Democrats at odds with most of their constituents.
Democratic narrative
For more than a month the Trump administration has falsely painted Abrego Garcia as a criminal. Holding him captive in El Salvador is a violation of his human rights, in addition to a violation of the U.S. Constitution. Even a conservative lower-court federal judge and the right-leaning SCOTUS have called for his release. Van Hollen's efforts will hopefully lead to bringing this man home.