2 weeks Ago By Storyful
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen said on Wednesday, April 16, that he held multiple meetings in El Salvador as he pushed for the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who he claims was “illegally abducted” by the Trump administration . Abrego Garcia was deported on March 15 to an El Salvadoran prison and is accused of having ties to the violent MS-13 gang. The US has since represented in legal filings that Abrego Garcia’s removal to El Salvador was the result of an “administrative error.
” Despite this admission, El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele said his country would not return Abrego Garcia during a meeting at the White House with President Donald Trump. “US courts have determined that he was illegally abducted from the United States, and now finds himself in the most notorious prison in El Salvador,” Van Hollen said. Van Hollen called on US and Salvadoran authorities to either provide evidence of criminal activity or comply with US court rulings.
“Unless they can provide evidence that he’s been involved in MS-13. They said they had no evidence, so this is not about MS-13,” he said, adding, “I know President Trump wants to make this about gang violence. I’ve been fighting MS-13 probably longer than Donald Trump even knew about MS-13.
” Credit: Senator Chris Van Hollen via Storyful Video Transcript I've had back to back meetings here in El Salvador with our team from the American embassy, with the vice president of El Salvador, with human rights groups, and the entire purpose has been to bring Abrego Garcia home, because US courts have determined that he was illegally abducted from the United States and now finds himself in the most notorious prison in El Salvador. The Supreme Court, 9 to 0, has told the Trump administration they must facilitate his return home. They've refused to do it.
So I called upon the government of El Salvador to do it unless they can provide evidence that he's been involved in MS-13. They said they had no evidence. So this is not about MS-13.
I know President Trump wants to make this about gang violence. I have been fighting MS-13, probably longer than Donald Trump even knew about MS-13. I care about every victim of crime.
That's why we have a court system to hold people accountable when they commit crimes, to make sure that they get the punishment they deserve. We also have a court system to make sure that people who have not committed crimes or not been convicted of crimes. are not disappeared.
Out of the United States and sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador, like Abrego Garcia. This is simply about letting him have his day in court. We use the courts to make sure that we don't convict people who are not guilty, and that we convict those who are.
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