Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) welcomed the return of Kilmer Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was wrongly deported and held at the Cecot prison in El Salvador, labeling it a “win” for the rule of law.
The Trump administration intensified its deportation efforts, accusing Abrego Garcia of having illegally migrated from El Salvador to the United States in 2011. However, he later received protection from removal due to his gang affiliations. His legal team rejected these claims and fought for his return to the U.S.
On Friday, Attorney General Pam Bondy announced that after a lengthy legal battle, Abrego Garcia has been brought back to the U.S. to address criminal charges related to a traffic stop in Tennessee from 2022.
“This is a triumph of due process. It’s a victory for the Constitution. It shouldn’t have taken this long. The Trump administration has limped along, disregarding a unanimous 9-0 decision from the Supreme Court,” he remarked.
“It’s crucial that Abrego Garcia is home now to exercise his due process rights in court,” he added.
Maryland lawmakers visited Abrego Garcia, but he was taken overseas to confirm his well-being and advocate for his release from custody in El Salvador—an action that White House officials previously indicated would not occur.
Van Hollen commented on Friday that the legal battle over Abrego Garcia should have begun before his deportation.
“If they intended to pursue this case in court, it should have been done from the outset after removing him from the streets of Maryland and placing him in a gulag in El Salvador. That’s the legitimate process we’ve been advocating for,” he stated.
“And this fight isn’t just for his case but for others as well. I believe every American understands that everyone deserves to have their rights upheld.”
Abrego Garcia’s lawyers expressed on Friday that the criminal charges were merely another attempt to persecute their client.
“This indicates they’ve been manipulating the legal system all along. Due process provides an opportunity for self-defense before punishment. This is not justice; it’s an abuse of power, not justice.”
“The government should bring him to trial. However, it should be before the same immigration judge who presided over his case in 2019, as ordered to ensure that his case is processed correctly and not wrongfully sent back to El Salvador.”
Source: thehill.com