Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) on Sunday defended his efforts to protect Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s rights, even as President Trump and his allies levy serious allegations against the deported Maryland man and highlight his mixed court record.
In an interview on ABC News’s “This Week,” host Jonathan Karl asked Van Hollen about “some pretty serious allegations of abuse” that Abrego Garcia’s wife previously made in court and President Trump has highlighted in recent days.
“Obviously, everybody in this country, even those undocumented immigrants, have rights. But are you concerned about standing so forcefully with somebody that has, you know, at least a questionable record?” Karl asked.
Van Hollen said he is defending the principle, not Abrego Garcia’s record.
“I am not defending the man. I’m defending the rights of this man to due process,” Van Hollen said. “And the Trump administration has admitted in court that he was wrongfully detained and wrongfully deported.
“My mission and my purpose is to make sure that we uphold the rule of law because if we take it away from him, we do jeopardize it for everybody else,” he added.
Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador this week to check on the wellbeing of Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national who lived in Maryland with his wife in March, when he was taken and sent to El Salvador’s notorious terrorist confinement center (CECOT).
Trump administration officials previously said he was mistakenly sent to El Salvador but have recently doubled down on accusations that Abrego Garcia is a gang member, as they have refused to comply with a court order instructing them to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s release from Salvadoran custody.
Van Hollen said the administration should bring their concerns to court.
“The Trump administration is trying to change the story. They’re trying to distract attention. Here’s where they should put their facts: They should put it before the court. They should put up or shut up in court because Judge Xinis, who’s the district court judge in this case, said and I quote, they put no evidence linking Abrego Garcia to MS-13 or to any other terrorist activity, unquote. She says that a couple times in her decision,” Van Hollen said.
“So, Mr. President and Republicans and anybody involved with this: Take your facts to court. Don’t put everything out on social media,” he added.
Van Hollen specifically addressed concerns about Abrego Garcia’s wife, noting she has been the one most outspoken calling for his return.
“As to his wife, his wife is the one who is asking us all to bring him home, so his rights can be respected,” Van Hollen said.
Jennifer Vasquez Sura, Abrego Garcia’s wife, said Van Hollen answered the prayers of her and her children.
“My children and my prayers have been answered. The efforts of my family and community in fighting for justice are being heard, because I now know that my husband is alive,” Sura said in a previous statement.
“We still have so many questions, hopes, and fears. I will continue praying and fighting for Kilmar’s return home,” she said, thanking Van Hollen and numerous others “for continuing this fight for my family to be reunited.”