U.S. Senator Meets Alleged Wrongly Deported "Maryland Man" for First Time in El Salvador

What Happened?

A U.S. senator previously stopped by armed guards, was allowed to meet a Maryland man who was wrongly deported and is currently held in an El Salvador max prison.

Maryland Senator, Chris Van Hollen, was reportedly granted across past a military checkpoint late Thursday after being turned away two consecutive days.

Frustration grew as two GOP House members were reportedly given a tour where Abrego Garcia is being held two days prior.

Sen. Van Hollen posted photos with 29-year-old Kilmar Abrego Garcia as the Trump administration continues to deny his return to the U.S.

Salvadoran Vice President, Felix Ulloa, met with Van Hollen last week but made little progress in bringing Abrego Garcia back.

The images are reportedly the first-time wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, has seen Abrego Garcia since spotting him in a photo last month among other migrants held at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).

'It was very overwhelming,' Vasquez Sura told ABC's Good Morning America, Friday. 'The most important thing for me, my children, his mom, his brother, his sibling, was to see him alive, and we saw him alive.'

Concluding Van Hollen's visit, El Salvador President, Nayib Bukele, reportedly said Abrego Garcia would remain in the country's custody.

Why it Matters

Many have argued against the Trump administration's continued resentment, despite previous acknowledgment that Abrego Garcia was deported in error.

Attorneys for both sides met in federal court last week, amid criticism the White House faces following an 'administrative stay' granted by the Supreme Court.

A previous order by U.S. District Judge, Paula Xinis, that imposed a deadline, was paused to return the 29-year-old father of three and sheet worker.

Abrego Garcia’s attorneys still argue that the federal government made no meaningful attempts to secure his release, which they believe violated the Supreme Court’s order.

This comes as reports revealed that the accused MS-13 gang member has a record of being 'violent' and a repeat of domestic violence allegations against his wife Vasquez Sura.

President Bukele and President Donald Trump had informed media members that Abrego Garcia would not be returned and would remain in El Salvador.

Bukele called it 'preposterous' to allude that he would try and 'smuggle' Abrego Garcia back into the U.S. illegally.

How it Affects You

Many point to a 2019 protective order that should have prevented Abrego Garcia's departure.

Some reports note that Abrego Garcia has never been charged criminally in the U.S. or El Salvador.

Officials move to require the Trump administration to take all available steps to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return.

The White House expressed concern amid 'the confusion' others have shared over the high court's order.

El Salvador and the U.S. are unified in the decision that Abrego Garcia will not be returned.

It's a fate many now fear will soon repeat for other immigrants in the U.S. as deportation efforts begin to ramp up.