Senator Chris Van Hollen recently traveled to El Salvador to meet with an MS-13 gang member who had been deported from the United States. This trip raised eyebrows, especially since it was funded by taxpayers. Critics, including former ICE director Tom Homan, expressed concern about the senator prioritizing a meeting with a violent gang member over pressing issues back home.
Homan pointed out that while Van Hollen was able to find out the gang member’s location by visiting El Salvador, he has been silent on serious problems in his own state. Homan highlighted a recent murder committed by an illegal alien who was released instead of being held under an ICE detainer. He criticized Van Hollen for not addressing the surge in crime and the alarming rise in illegal border crossings over the past few years.
The former ICE director emphasized that in the last four years, there has been a dramatic increase in sex trafficking and fatalities related to drug overdoses, particularly from fentanyl. He noted that many families have suffered losses due to violence linked to illegal immigration and expressed frustration that Van Hollen has not engaged with the families of victims, often referred to as "Angel moms and dads."
In response to the senator’s justification for the trip, Homan acknowledged the importance of due process but reiterated his belief that the deported gang member belonged in El Salvador. He stated that both U.S. intelligence and El Salvadoran authorities confirmed the individual’s gang affiliation, which he sees as a significant threat to public safety.
The senator’s visit has sparked a broader debate about immigration policy, public safety, and the responsibilities of elected officials. As the situation develops, many are watching to see how it will affect discussions on border security and crime prevention in the coming months.