After flying to El Salvador searching for a gathering with the Maryland resident who courts say was erroneously deported from america final month, Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., shared a photograph with Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
The Maryland senator, who flew to the nation on Wednesday, shared a photograph on X on Thursday night of him sitting down with Abrego Garcia.
“I mentioned my foremost aim of this journey was to satisfy with Kilmar. Tonight I had that probability. I’ve referred to as his spouse, Jennifer, to move alongside his message of affection. I sit up for offering a full replace upon my return,” Van Hollen mentioned within the publish.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen shares photograph of assembly Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen/ X
Abrego Garcia’s spouse was advised that the assembly between Abrego Garcia and Sen. Chris Van Hollen was arrange by El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, a supply near the household advised ABC Information.
The supply mentioned Abrego Garcia and his spouse, Jennifer Vasquez, weren’t capable of communicate, including that the household doesn’t know the place Abrego Garcia is being held.
In a press release from Vasquez offered by CASA, an immigration advocacy group that’s representing the household, Abrego Garcia’s spouse mentioned her prayers have been answered.
“My youngsters and my prayers have been answered,” Vasquez mentioned. “The efforts of my household and group in preventing for justice are being heard, as a result of I now know that my husband is alive. God is listening, and the group is standing sturdy.” “We nonetheless have so many questions, hopes, and fears,” Vasquez added. “I’ll proceed praying and preventing for Kilmar’s return residence,” she mentioned.
The assembly comes after Van Hollen shared a video on social media earlier on Thursday exhibiting guards stopping him and others from coming into CECOT, the jail the place Abrego Garcia is being held.
The Supreme Courtroom and a Maryland federal choose ordered that the U.S. authorities “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S. after the Division of Justice mentioned in court docket filings that the 29-year-old father was wrongfully deported due to an “administrative error.”
The Trump administration has alleged it can’t convey him again and claimed exterior of court docket that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang.
Additional particulars of the standing of Abrego Garcia’s case haven’t but been offered.
Salvadoran troopers stand guard, because the CECOT brand is seen, throughout a media tour on the Terrorism Confinement Heart (CECOT) jail, in Tecoluca, El Salvador April 4, 2025.
Jose Cabezas/Reuters
The White Home slammed Van Hollen for making the journey and advocating for Abrego Garcia, claiming with little proof, that Abrego Garcia is a gang member.
The Justice Division has not charged Abrego Garcia with any gang-related crimes and his alleged MS-13 membership has been disputed in court docket.
ABC Information’ Katherine Faulders contributed to this report.
It is a creating story. Please examine again for updates.
