Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen says he has met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who immigration officials say was deported by error, in El Salvador on Thursday, Van Hollen’s spokesperson confirmed to CBS News
The Democratic senator shared a photo with Abrego Garcia at what appears to be a restaurant.
“I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar,” Sen. Van Hollen said. “Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.”
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele also posted photos of the meeting, but suggested Abrego Garcia will remain incarcerated by his government: “Now that he’s been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody.”
Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez, said in a statement after the meeting her “prayers have been answered.”
“We still have so many questions, hopes, and fears. I will continue praying and fighting for Kilma’s’ return home,” Vasquez wrote.
The surprise meeting with Van Hollen marks Abrego Garcia’s first known appearance since last month, when his deportation to El Salvador’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center drew national attention and sparked a legal standoff with the Trump administration.
The administration admitted in court papers Abrego Garcia was sent to El Salvador — along with hundreds of other Salvadoran and Venezuelan migrants — due to an “administrative error.” U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States, and the Supreme Court backed up that order, but he has remained in El Salvador since then, with Xinis suggesting the government hasn’t complied with her order and demanding regular updates on his status.
The Trump administration has pushed back, arguing it’s up to El Salvador to decide whether to return Abrego Garcia — an argument an appeals court called “shocking” on Thursday.
Van Hollen’s meeting with Abrego Garcia came after the senator was turned away Thursday at a military checkpoint near the prison in El Salvador. He said he was about three kilometers from the notorious supermax prison, known as CECOT, when he was stopped by soldiers, who he said were ordered to prevent him from going toward the prison.
Van Hollen left for El Salvador on Wednesday, intending to check on Abrego Garcia’s well-being. He provided updates on his journey.
“My overall purpose here is to send a signal that we are not going to stop fighting for his return until he is actually released,” Van Hollen said before his flight.