Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen met Thursday in El Salvador with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who was sent there by the Trump administration in March despite an immigration court order preventing his deportation.
Van Hollen posted a photo of the meeting on X, saying he also called Abrego Garcia’s wife “to pass along his message of love.” The lawmaker did not provide an update on the status of Abrego Garcia, whose attorneys are fighting to force the Trump administration to facilitate his return to the U.S., saying he would have more details Friday.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele posted images of the meeting minutes before Van Hollen shared his post, saying, “Now that he’s been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody.” The tweet ended with emojis of the U.S. and El Salvador flags, with a handshake emoji between them.
This is great news! I believed he was alive, but I’m very happy to have confirmation. The fight to return him continues.
They don’t want him back because the second he lands, he’ll be able to share the cruel and unusual punishment they all are enduring. The ICC will likely charge El Salvador, and SCOTUS will ban further deportations under the Eighth Amendment.
That’s a pretty strong motivation for ES to keep these prisoners well away from any of the really horrible shit going on.
They are also probably worth more alive than dead. I have to assume ES is being well compensated.
El Salvador is receiving $20,000 per year per prisoner.