Washington – Democratic lawmakers, spearheaded by Senator Chris Van Hollen, are exploring the option of traveling to El Salvador to secure the release of a man that the Justice Department mistakenly deported to the country. This initiative gained momentum after El Salvador’s President, Nayib Bukele, assured during a White House meeting that he would not send the deported man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, back to the U.S.

Van Hollen of Maryland, in a letter to El Salvador’s ambassador, expressed his intention to meet with President Bukele to discuss the release of Abrego Garcia. The senator emphasized that if the man is not returned to the U.S. by midweek, he is prepared to travel to El Salvador to ensure his well-being and advocate for his release.

The proposal has garnered support from various Democratic lawmakers who are willing to accompany Van Hollen on the journey. Representative Maxwell Frost of Florida expressed his readiness to stand in solidarity against the unlawful detention of Abrego Garcia and offered to rally other House members to join the cause.

The effort to bring Abrego Garcia back to the U.S. intensified following the acknowledgment by Justice Department officials that his deportation breached a 2019 immigration judge’s order. The Supreme Court ruled last week in favor of facilitating his return, a decision that clashed with the Trump administration’s stance that the matter is beyond their control now that he is in another country’s custody.

Despite Bukele’s firm stance during the White House visit, Democratic lawmakers remain resolute in their pursuit of justice for Abrego Garcia. Van Hollen expressed optimism that Bukele would reconsider once fully apprised of the circumstances surrounding the Maryland resident’s detention. The senator vowed to take action in El Salvador if diplomatic efforts are unfruitful, insisting that Abrego Garcia’s continued incarceration is unjust and unlawful.

Addressing concerns raised during the visit, President Trump floated the contentious idea of deporting U.S. citizens, drawing criticism from immigration advocates and legal experts who deemed the proposition illegal and unconstitutional. The situation remains fluid as lawmakers continue to push for Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S., advocating for his rights and fair treatment under the law.