Congressman Plans El Salvador Visit to Advocate for Abrego Garcia's Return

California's Representative Robert Garcia, alongside other Democratic legislators, visited El Salvador to advocate for the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old originally from Maryland, currently incarcerated there. This visit followed a denial from House Republicans to arrange an official congressional journey.

During this trip, Rep. Garcia was accompanied by Maxwell Frost from Florida, Yassamin Ansari from Arizona, and Maxine Dexter from Oregon. They made this decision after their request for a formal congressional visit was rejected by House Republicans.

Once in El Salvador, the delegation met with officials from the U.S. Embassy, the country's ambassador, as well as Abrego Garcia's family, legal representative, and human rights activists. Despite their requests, the group was not permitted to meet with Abrego Garcia himself, according to Rep. Garcia.

Garcia mentioned that he suspected the Trump administration was ignoring a recent decision which required facilitating Abrego Garcia's return after his March deportation was acknowledged as incorrect.

"This incident represents another instance where [President] Donald Trump infringes upon due process, challenging our Constitution and democratic principles," Garcia asserted.

Having entered the U.S. without permission in 2011, Abrego Garcia was arrested in 2019 but subsequently released upon being granted deportation protection by a court. Despite this, immigration authorities detained and deported him back to El Salvador in March, sparking a legal fight for his repatriation. Officials eventually admitted the deportation occurred due to an "administrative mistake."

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador, during a recent White House visit, expressed his refusal to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return. Although initially detained in El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison, he was reportedly relocated to another facility, as per Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen from Maryland.

The decision to send Abrego Garcia back to the United States, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi, rests entirely with El Salvador's authorities.

On Tuesday, Garcia also criticized the Trump administration for instilling fear within immigrant communities, referencing an incident where Homeland Security agents were not allowed access to two public schools in South Los Angeles, as noted by Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho.

"We worry that under the Trump administration, individuals could be unlawfully seized from our communities in the U.S. and imprisoned in El Salvador without due legal process," stated Garcia.

Garcia emphasized his commitment to continue fighting for Abrego Garcia's release, stating that additional members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus may travel to El Salvador. Garcia himself expressed readiness to return if necessary.