In an unexpected international twist, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s journey to El Salvador to meet a deported Maryland resident has stirred up major controversy—especially with former President Donald Trump, who didn’t hold back in his response.
The senator’s trip was focused on checking in with Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father of three who was mistakenly deported last month.
While Van Hollen aimed to show compassion and support, Trump saw it differently—and wasted no time calling him out.
Trump Slams Van Hollen as a “Grandstander” Begging for Attention
Trump, never one to shy away from a fight, blasted the Democratic senator on social media, calling him a “fool” and accusing him of “begging for attention.”
In a sharply worded post on X (formerly Twitter), Trump mocked Van Hollen for traveling all the way to El Salvador just to meet with someone he claims is a gang member.
“Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland looked like a fool yesterday standing in El Salvador begging for attention from the Fake News Media,” Trump wrote. “GRANDSTANDER!!!”
A Quiet Meeting That Spoke Volumes
Despite some serious roadblocks—literally—Van Hollen eventually got to meet with Garcia.
Though he was initially denied entry to the notorious CECOT prison where Garcia is being held, El Salvadoran officials later arranged for a meeting outside the facility.
The senator shared a photo of their talk on social media, saying he had relayed a message of love from Garcia to his wife, Jennifer, and promised to provide more details soon.
The meeting appeared to take place in a quiet restaurant, far removed from the political chaos unfolding back home.
The White House Escalates the Narrative
The situation escalated even further when the Trump White House joined in.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt hosted Patty Morin, the mother of a Maryland woman murdered by an El Salvadoran migrant, in a press briefing.
The White House posted a side-by-side photo comparison of Trump with Patty and Van Hollen with Garcia, captioned: “We are not the same.”
The implication was clear: while Trump was standing with victims, Van Hollen was sympathizing with a criminal.
Was Garcia Wrongfully Deported?
Garcia, who has lived in Maryland for nearly 15 years, had been granted protection from deportation by a federal judge back in 2019.
Despite this, he was picked up outside an Ikea in Baltimore and sent back to El Salvador on March 12.
His legal team says it was all a mistake—and they’re suing to bring him home.
U.S. immigration authorities have even admitted in court that the deportation was an “administrative error.”
Still, the Trump administration is refusing to reverse it, insisting Garcia has ties to the MS-13 gang—a claim for which no formal charges exist.
Trump and Bukele Say Garcia Is Staying Put
Attorney General Pam Bondi made it crystal clear this week: Garcia is not coming back.
“President Bukele said he was not sending him back. That’s the end of the story,” she told reporters.
“There was no situation, ever, where he was going to stay in this country.”
President Bukele also chimed in, sharing photos of Garcia’s meeting with Van Hollen and adding a not-so-subtle message: now that Garcia’s health has been “confirmed,” he would remain in Salvadoran custody.
Democrats Blocked, Republicans Welcomed
While Van Hollen faced resistance trying to enter the CECOT prison—stopped by soldiers just miles from the gates—House Republicans have had a far easier time.
Multiple GOP lawmakers, including West Virginia’s Riley Moore and Missouri’s Jason Smith, were given access to tour the facility without issue.
Smith praised the prison and thanked Trump for helping deport those who “committed violent acts against Americans.”
CECOT: The Massive and Controversial Megaprison
CECOT, or the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism, is not your average prison.
Built in late 2022, it’s the largest prison in the world and a central part of Bukele’s crackdown on gangs in El Salvador.
So far, it’s locked up around 84,000 people and holds a reputation for being incredibly harsh.
The facility has faced international criticism for overcrowding, lack of due process, and alleged human rights violations.
It’s guarded by 600 soldiers and 250 police officers, surrounded by thick walls, barbed wire, electrified fences, and 19 watchtowers.
Despite the criticisms, Bukele plans to double its capacity to hold 80,000 inmates across more than 80 acres.
Deportations Continue Despite Legal Concerns
In March, the Trump administration deported over 250 people to El Salvador, most of them accused of gang activity.
The U.S. is reportedly paying El Salvador $6 million to hold them in CECOT.
Interestingly, Salvadoran officials reportedly told U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that the American deportees are treated better than local inmates—with proper meals, beds, exercise time, and medical care.
Trump Dodges Questions About Due Process
When asked whether Garcia deserves due process, Trump deflected.
“I have to refer, again, to the lawyers,” he told reporters in the Oval Office. “I have to do what they ask me to do.”
His vague response raised eyebrows, especially considering the strong accusations being made against Garcia with no public evidence.
The Debate Over Compassion, Justice, and Political Optics
For Van Hollen, the trip was about human decency—making sure Garcia, a longtime Maryland resident and father, was okay.
But for Trump and his allies, it became a symbol of the broader immigration debate, one that they’re using to paint Democrats as soft on crime.
What happens next for Garcia is still unclear. But one thing’s for sure: this story is about far more than one deportation.
It’s about politics, optics, and who gets to decide the line between justice and compassion.