Senator Hollen Speaks on Mistaken Deportee's Harrowing Experience in El Salvador

Senator Chris Van Hollen has uncovered disturbing details regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was erroneously deported by the previous administration. During a recent visit to El Salvador, Senator Van Hollen reported that Garcia has faced severe trauma stemming from nearly three weeks of confinement in a maximum security prison known for its harsh conditions. Garcia’s situation has captured attention as the senator advocates for his release after hearing of his unsettling experiences firsthand.

On April 18, 2025, Senator Van Hollen arrived in San Salvador to meet Garcia, who had been held in CECOT prison before being moved to a lower-security facility in Santa Ana just nine days prior. The senator shared that while Garcia is in a better environment now, he remains completely isolated, unable to communicate with anyone outside his detention. "He described his time at CECOT as traumatic, noting the terrifying nature of the other inmates and their distressing interactions," reported Van Hollen.

In his statements, Garcia expressed a strong sense of despair at being wrongfully incarcerated in a facility designed for violent offenders. Originally from El Salvador, Garcia had entered the United States unlawfully but was granted protection from deportation in 2019. “This is not who he is,” Senator Van Hollen remarked, emphasizing Garcia’s wrongful classification as a criminal. The senator is committed to advocating for Garcia’s release, highlighting this case as a pertinent reminder of the broader implications of immigration policies on individual lives.