Sen. Chris Van Hollen has met with Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, the man the Trump administration mistakenly deported to a notorious El Salvador prison.
Van Hollen, who travelled to El Salvador Wednesday, posted about the meeting on X late Thursday night. The post included photos of himself sitting down with Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident.
“I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance,” the post reads. “I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return.”
The Maryland senator’s post was preempted by a post from El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, who appeared to mock those who have raised alarm about Abrego Garcia’s safety in El Salvador’s custody.
“Kilmar Abrego Garcia, miraculously risen from the “death camps” & “torture”, now sipping margaritas with Sen. Van Hollen in the tropical paradise of El Salvador!” Bukele posted. In a separate post, Bukele said Abrego Garcia would be remaining in El Salvador’s custody.
Abrego Garcia’s case has drawn national attention, after he was deported without due process and in violation of a previous court order. The Trump administration, which admitted his deportation was an error, was directed by the Supreme Court to follow a lower court order to facilitate his return. But the administration has since flouted the order and reiterated claims that Abrego Garcia is a member of the gang MS-13.
On Thursday, an appeals court rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to halt the district court’s order.
It’s unclear what will happen next with Abrego Garcia — if he will be able to return home or will be allowed further access to communicate with his family or lawyers.
Van Hollen’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Casey Murray is a NOTUS reporter and an Allbritton Journalism Institute fellow.