Four House Democrats arrived in El Salvador on Monday to demand the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen who was deported back to his home country. He had been living in Maryland when he was sent back due to what the Trump administration called an "administrative error." The lawmakers aim to pressure the White House to honor a Supreme Court order regarding Garcia’s return.
The group includes Representatives Robert Garcia from California, Maxwell Frost from Florida, Yassamin Ansari from Arizona, and Maxine Dexter from Oregon. They expressed their determination to remind the public that deporting immigrants without due process is unacceptable. Representative Garcia stated, "While Donald Trump continues to defy the Supreme Court, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being held illegally in El Salvador after being wrongfully deported."
Despite the Supreme Court’s order for the Trump administration to facilitate Garcia’s return, the administration has refused to do so, facing criticism from both parties. Garcia was initially allowed to stay in the U.S. after proving he would likely face persecution if returned to El Salvador. However, the Trump administration claims he is a member of the MS-13 gang, which his lawyers deny.
The White House has stated it cannot compel the Salvadoran government to release Garcia, while El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele dismissed the idea of his release as "preposterous." Recently, a federal court denied the administration’s appeal against the return order.
This trip by the House Democrats is not funded by taxpayers. They had previously requested congressional travel funds and security, but their requests were denied by Republican leaders. This visit follows a series of bipartisan trips by U.S. officials to El Salvador, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who have met with President Bukele and visited the country’s mega-prison, the Counter-Terrorism Confinement Centre (CECOT).
The ongoing situation highlights the complexities surrounding immigration policy and the treatment of individuals facing deportation. As the Democrats advocate for Garcia’s rights, the case raises broader questions about due process and the responsibilities of the U.S. government in handling deportations.