• Sen. Chris Van Hollen met Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador, advocating for his due process rights.
• Garcia was mistakenly deported despite a court order protecting him from removal.
• The Trump administration has doubled down on accusations linking Garcia to MS-13, despite no evidence presented in court.
• Van Hollen asserts that defending Garcia's rights is crucial for the protection of constitutional rights for everyone.
• Garcia’s wife continues to advocate for his return while expressing gratitude for Van Hollen's efforts.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) has been vocal in his defense of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident wrongfully deported to El Salvador, emphasizing that his efforts are about upholding constitutional rights rather than merely defending an individual. “I am not defending the man. I'm defending the rights of this man to due process,” Van Hollen stated in an interview, highlighting that the Trump administration has admitted in court that Garcia was wrongfully detained and deported, according to The Hill.

During his recent trip to El Salvador, Van Hollen met with Garcia to verify his well-being after the Maryland man was sent to the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) following his deportation. Van Hollen argued that if the rights of one individual, such as Garcia, are undermined, it jeopardizes the rights of all Americans, a position he reiterated on ABC's "This Week," as noted by ABC News.

Despite Garcia’s allegations of association with the MS-13 gang being publicized by the Trump administration and criticized by GOP officials, Van Hollen maintains that the administration should present any claims to court rather than on social media. “They should put up or shut up in court,” he urged, emphasizing that previous court rulings have found insufficient evidence to link Garcia to any criminal activity, according to The Hill.

Additionally, Van Hollen revealed that during his meeting, Garcia was unaware of the ongoing advocacy efforts to secure his return, showcasing the disconnection between the political situation and his personal circumstances. Meanwhile, Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, continues to fight for her husband’s rights, expressing gratitude for Van Hollen’s involvement on behalf of their family, as highlighted by The Hill.

The political climate surrounding Garcia's case has ignited debates on judicial power and immigration policy, drawing attention to broader concerns about due process and civil rights in the current administration. The Supreme Court's ruling instructing the Trump administration to facilitate Garcia's return remains contentious, with the White House continuing to resist compliance, according to Los Angeles Times.