US senator says El Salvador denied request to meet Kilmar Abrego Garca

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Guardian

Wed 16 Apr 2025 15.17 EDT
Last modified on Wed 16 Apr 2025 15.22 EDT


Maryland’s Democratic senator Chris Van Hollen says the government of El Salvador has denied his request to visit Kilmar Ábrego García, his constituent who was wrongly deported to the Central American country last month. Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador on Wednesday with the intention of meeting Ábrego García at the Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot), where US authorities have said that the Maryland resident is being held along with others deported at Donald Trump’s orders.

The senator’s visit came days after Trump and El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, refused to take steps to return Ábrego García to the United States, even though the US supreme court last week said the administration must “facilitate” his return. At a press conference in El Salvador, Van Hollen said that he had met with the country’s vice-president, Félix Ulloa, who told him it would not be possible for him to speak with Ábrego García in person or on the phone.

“I asked the vice-president if I could meet with Mr Ábrego García. And he said, well, you need to make earlier provisions to go visit Cecot,” Van Hollen said. “I said, I’m not interested at this moment in taking a tour of Cecot, I just want to meet with Mr Ábrego García. He said he was not able to make that happen.” Van Hollen said he offered to come back next week to meet with Ábrego García, but Ulloa “said he couldn’t promise that either”. The vice-president also said he could not arrange for Ábrego García’s family to speak to him by phone.

When the senator asked if he could do so, Ulloa told him that the US embassy must make that request, Van Hollen said. “We have an unjust situation here. The Trump administration is lying about Ábrego García,” said Van Hollen, who said his constituent had been wrongly named as a member of the MS-13 criminal gang. The Trump administration has admitted that an “administrative error” led to the deportation of Ábrego García to his native country, despite an immigration judge granting him protected status in 2019.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/16/kilmar-abrego-garcia-chris-van-hollen

[rurallib]

1. Makes me wonder if Garcia is still alive

[Deuxcents]

3. I have had the same thoughts. I hate to even admit it

[rurallib]

7. trump is a mob boss - mob bosses get rid of evidence, blame it on others

He has a fall guy that we basically can't touch. How perfect

[Mr.Bee]

19. This is sounding like a coverup

[Eugene]

6. The family is asking for proof of life. This looks worse by the day.

[avebury]

8. That was my first thought. Nt

[Botany]

10. "El Salvador denies senator visit with mistakenly deported man: Van Hollen"

https://www.axios.com/2025/04/16/el-salvador-senator-mistakenly-deported-man

Can’t meet with dead people. It is that simple. Pam Bondi’s press conference all but confirmed
Señor Garcia’s fate of either being dead or the victim of torture.


The sad fact that @ least 25% of Americans really have no problem with what happened
Señor Garcia, his family, or the due process of law because they have bought into the right’s
unceasing lies.

[ShazzieB]

12. That link goes to a page that says "We can't find the page you're looking for." - EDIT

Just thought you should know.

EDIT: I figured it out. There was an extra character at the end of the link:

https://www.axios.com/2025/04/16/el-salvador-senator-mistakenly-deported-man

Hope this helps,

[LiberalArkie]

13. Try

https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/el-salvador-denies-senator-visit-with-mistakenly-deported-man-van-hollen/ar-AA1D3wMV?ocid=BingNewsSerp

[markodochartaigh]

25. "The

sad fact that @ least 25% of Americans really have no problem with what happened
Señor García...". I would say that at least 25% (the hard-core maga) are happy about what is happening. And about another third (the corporate Republicans, and the apathetic third who can't be bothered to vote) don't really care as long as they get their hamberders and sportsball.

[Sneederbunk]

20. Navalny comes to mind.

Last edited Wed Apr 16, 2025, 07:59 PM - Edit history (1)

Garcia's existence is inconvenient.

[dchill]

32. What does it mean to YOU that Bondi said...

... he's NEVER coming back to this country? My feeling is that he's been dead since the beginning of his illegal incarceration.

[NJCher]

41. there's a reason

she spoke with such certainty.

[calimary]

52. Sigh... that's what I'm afraid of.

[Karasu]

34. At this point, I'd be surprised if he is.

[WmChris]

37. Silenced

They certainly don't want him comming back and describing what is going in those concentration camps.

[homegirl]

38. Mrs. Garcia

should charge Donald Trump with the murder of her husband. Trump loses either way- he must produce a live husband or his corpse!

[rurallib]

39. I agree she should use the judicial system somehow

[BOSSHOG]

2. El Salvador is doing whatever trump wants

Lock the innocent away in a hellhole and throw away the key. I’m sure Christian Mike Johnson is fine with that.

[bluestarone]

21. Yep, 6 million for the immigrants, and

6 million for the LIES!!

[The Madcap]

35. Ironic choice of numbers there....

given the circumstances.

[FakeNoose]

33. 'Zactly right! Chump was on the phone with Bukele, advising how to answer any pushy Dems

[BOSSHOG]

36. Two tough guys telling one and all

That there’s nothing we can do. We’re helpless, we’d like to help out but our hands are tied and we can’t do anything. Wo is us.

[Prairie Gates]

4. Non zero chance that he's dead

We demand proof of life from kidnappers, no?

[bucolic_frolic]

5. Agency. We are paying for this detention. /nt

[Dennis Donovan]

9. Roxane Gay: Is Kilmar Abrego Garcia alive? Getting distinct impression he's either dead or disfigured.

Roxane Gay
‪@roxanegay.bsky.social‬
Is Kilmar Abrego Garcia alive? Because the amount of resistance to addressing his being trafficked gives the distinct impression that either he is dead or what they have done to him is so unspeakable that they cannot afford for him to be freed, seen, or spoken with.
April 16, 2025 at 3:20 PM

https://bsky.app/profile/roxanegay.bsky.social/post/3lmxcrpkkdc2y

[Rhiannon12866]

48. That has been my fear all along, they don't want Americans to either see or hear from him - assuming he's still alive

[Dennis Donovan]

56. Me as well.

Their deep recalcitrance over ANY contact with him really makes one think they don't want to have to say he died in custody.

[Rhiannon12866]

58. I've never been so grateful to be wrong.

[Dennis Donovan]

59. Me too. I was nearly certain of a different outcome!

[Rhiannon12866]

60. Same here! I was afraid that they refused to make an effort because he was already gone and they knew it

From the photos he looks fine, I hope they're now pressured to bring him (and the others) back if only to put an end to the controversy. And the president of El Salvador is as big an authoritarian jerk with no human feelings as TFG.

[travelingthrulife]

55. Republicans trafficking people. Isn't this one of the things Republicans say they oppose?

These people are the embodiment of evil.

[riversedge]

11. Sen Van Hollen He was kidnapped under the guise of "policy" and thrown into a foreign prison in violation of a federal c

Senator Van Hollen just landed in El Salvador to do what the Trump administration refuses to: bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia home.

He was kidnapped under the guise of “policy” and thrown into a foreign prison in violation of a federal court order.

Link to tweet

[hamsterjill]

14. Dumb question that I honestly do not know the answer to because I've never had to ask it before.

I can't believe I'm having to ask it now!!!! But we live in treacherous and unusual times.

What is the next step beyond the United States? Can the family appeal to any other (world) organizations to step in and help?

I mean, if El Salvador is doing what Trump wants, and Trump won't let anyone see Garcia - what can be done?

[Festivito]

16. Over 80% of elected Republicans are keeping him in power.

The next steps to overthrow a possible dictator are dangerous to even speak.

I'm betting Putin has Kompromat on each of them, pays for the re-election, and it is not only their jobs they fear losing. They fear losing their families and their life and their family's lives.

It gets ugly. Do we fight like it is 1930's Germany or 1790's France?

[BumRushDaShow]

22. "what can be done? "

I figured that since we PAID to have him and the others sent there, then it will have to be like a "hostage/ransom" situation and we PAY MORE to get him out. All of that would end up going on "behind the scenes".

[BComplex]

23. I fear that, while El Salvador might love the money, there is likely no Mr. Garcia there.

I have no doubt that they didn't want him to ever tell what has gone on in that prison. I'm sure he would have been permanently silenced.

[BumRushDaShow]

29. I may be wrong

but given how many are apparently in there who they like to "show off", who are probably real criminals, I don't think he is dead.

I think this is more a "for show/tee vee power play" for both 45 and Bukele. It's like a sick game and they'll string it out for maximum effect, until they finally show how "benevolent" they are.

Hell - you have the epitome of a killer - Putin - who although psychologically damaged our "wrongly detained" citizens, didn't kill them outright. I.e, they still want to engage in trade with the rest of the world and something like is being suggested, would definitely make El Salvador an even worse pariah.

As a note - I did a quick search on Bukele and his father's side of the family is... wait for it... Palestinian (originally Christian and his father eventually converted to Islam and became an Imam). His mother's family is Catholic (apparently Hispanic).

[BComplex]

54. I hope you're right about him being alive. And I hope they will eventually get him back to the US.

Good catch on his dad being Palestinian, AND an Islamic Imam, no less! El Salvador is primarily Catholic. I wonder if that has something to do with why trump doesn't care about bringing him home.

[NJCher]

27. I think the key to this is

Good thinking.

What is the next step beyond the United States? Can the family appeal to any other (world) organizations to step in and help?

What are the pressure points for this country? For example, we found out real fast what the pressure point is for the automotive industry when trump put the Chinese tariffs on.

What pressure point could make Bukele's life miserable?

[sop]

31. What pressure point could make Bukele's life miserable?

A group of Democratic Senators and Congressmen should go before the cameras and tell Mr. Bukele in no uncertain terms he will pay for his crimes against humanity. Let him know when Democrats come back to power - and they will be back in power at some point - punishing Bukele, and all those involved with CECOT in El Salvador, will be their number one priority. Call it a threat, call it a promise, but make sure Bukele understands he's not going to escape justice for his many crimes.

Republicans do all kinds of shit with impunity, knowing full well Democrats never respond in kind when they're back in power. Democrats always take the high road. That has to change. Next time it has to be different. Democrats have to stop fucking around. Retribution and punishment are the only things these thugs understand.

[FirstLight]

44. I'm ready for some fucking retribution!

We need our Democrats to fucking toughen up and decide that we're going to spank some people

[Falcon101]

45. Schumer

Schumer needs to go to Thune and say no cooperation till we resolve this issue.

[markodochartaigh]

28. There is the Red Cross and Amnesty International.

Personally I think that an appeal should be made to Pope Francis. Put the US bishops who supported Trump on the spot.

[NJCher]

42. if nothing else

It throws them in the lot of sorry assholes who have been castigated by a pope.

[hamsterjill]

46. I think that's a great idea.

At least it's something! Thanks.

[ffr]

15. How much taxpayer dollars are we paying to imprison people in El Salvador? And is Garcia even there?

WTF? Something very fishy going on here.

'Uh, no, we can't allow you to visit him at this time for XYZ excuses. Try back in a week, but then we won't be able to guarantee that you or anyone will be able to see him then either.'

Really, why would this be? It's total stonewalling to cover something else up.

[HeartsCanHope]

24. Van Hollen said $15Million in the interview.

[elleng]

17. KAFKA-esque.

Thanks to Senator Van Hollen for the attempt.

[C Moon]

18. Wishful thinking, but eventually these magas will be out on their butts...

and El Salvador will have some questions to answer from the real United States.

[NJCher]

43. it's not wishful thinking

it's inevitable when you have the kind of turnout you saw on April 5.
And April 19 is coming up shortly. If the turnout rivals or exceeds, it is major turning point. If legislators know we have their backs, they are more likely to take bolder moves.
I personally thought it very interesting that Bukele says he's going to open another detention center "for immigrants" from the U.S.
Wouldn't you know how tenuous dealing with the U.S. is from our history?

[JohnnyRingo]

26. Trump paid Nayib Bukele millions to take them off his hands.....

Does anyone thing Bukele is going to spend that money feeding and housing prisoners for years?
First stop was probably the showers.

[Figarosmom]

30. He's dead i think.

[PortTack]

40. Not in the least surprised...very disappointing, but not surprised.

[HappyLarge]

47. It's impossible to speak to a dead person and that poor man is dead.

[DallasNE]

49. Did Bukele Demand Trump Deport Abrego Garcia To His Custody?

I think this angle needs to be investigated. Why else would both Trump and Bukele have such a strong interest in this random-seeming man? Something smells rotten in this whole affair.

I am further speculating that Abrego Garcia has already been waterboarded and that is why nobody is being allowed to visit him.

[William Gustafson]

50. How is this not Nazism?

Hitler did the same thing... Accuse LGBTQ, and Jews of the cause of their WWI problems. To "Make Germany Great Again" they "cleansed" the population of these people and sent them to concentration camps in Poland and eventually, death camps. Then he went after the Court system. Attacked Education. Then the Speech police started arresting anyone that said anything against the government. We all know the horrors of Hitlers rise...
What we are witnessing is a redo of 1938 - 1945 rise of Hitler, in real time....
Sending anyone they deemed a criminal, out of the country, into a maximum-security prison, without any due process is right out of Hitlers play book....

So, I ask again... How is this not Nazism?...

[Lokee11]

53. What is the saying..

Last edited Thu Apr 17, 2025, 11:30 AM - Edit history (1)

If you do not learn from history, you are bound to repeat it - or something like that.

Overall I guess collectively "we" did not learn, but one thing I guess these REPUGs did not learn - is how it ended for Hitler and his Nazi's. I pray that - that part of history does repeat itself and we rid ourselves of these Nazi's part 2 completely this time not just seemingly.

I hope this post makes sense - I am so enraged while at he same time battling the feeling of defeat these days - These idiots may only care about their pick'em up trucks and hamberders, but it truly baffles me that they do not understand the concept that without due process, truth does not matter, and though they might be as lily white as brand new fallen snow, if the Orange Fuck decides they are Garcia - then they are Garcia! I do not believe that is such a hard concept to understand, and I would think as deplorable as even these Trumpers are, just basic self-preservation instincts would force them to understand - IDFK

✊FDT!

[Rhiannon12866]

51. And he reported in on Rachel Maddow tonight:

Exclusive: Senator Chris Van Hollen talks with Rachel Maddow live from El Salvador - Rachel Maddow - MSNBC
https://democraticunderground.com/132146559

[FakeNoose]

61. Yes, AP News is posting photos & story (Friday morning)

Link: https://apnews.com/article/abrego-garcia-el-salvador-trump-deportation-van-hollen-senator-81cca0ac24a9a312be97c730679f8dd1

Headline: Maryland Sen. Van Hollen meets with Abrego Garcia in El Salvador amid court fight over US return

I consider this as "proof of life," am I right?

[bluestarone]

62. Wow! if true, i'm so happy!!

[Martin68]

57. Is the guy still alive?