Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen said he was denied access to a high-security prison in El Salvador on Thursday as he attempted to check on the condition of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member deported from the United States under the Trump administration.
Speaking at a press conference in San Salvador, Van Hollen explained that his vehicle was stopped by Salvadoran soldiers about three kilometers from the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), the notorious prison where Abrego Garcia is being held. Although other cars were allowed to pass, his was singled out and turned away.
“They stopped us because they are under orders not to allow us to proceed,” Van Hollen stated, calling the refusal a deliberate attempt to block oversight of a controversial deportation.
Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national who had been living in Maryland, was deported in March by the Trump administration, despite a standing immigration court order prohibiting his removal.
Trump officials have claimed that Abrego Garcia has ties to the MS-13 gang, a charge his attorneys vigorously deny, stating that the government has produced no evidence and that he has never faced criminal charges for any gang-related activity. The case has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over immigration, crime, and judicial authority.
Van Hollen’s trip has further polarized the issue. Democrats have rallied around Abrego Garcia’s case, portraying it as a clear example of the Trump administration’s disregard for the rule of law and court orders.
Republicans have accused Democrats of defending a possible gang affiliate and framed the deportation as part of a necessary crackdown on violent crime.
During his visit, Van Hollen said he met with Salvadoran Vice President Félix Ulloa, who reportedly told him that El Salvador would not return Abrego Garcia to the United States.
The senator expressed concern over Abrego Garcia’s treatment and lack of communication, saying he has had no contact with his family or legal representation.
“There has been no ability to find out anything about his health and well-being,” Van Hollen said. “Under international law, he should have access to legal counsel.”
Despite being denied entry, Van Hollen said he remains committed to the case. “We won’t give up until Kilmar has his due process rights respected,” he declared, adding that more U.S. lawmakers are expected to travel to El Salvador in the coming weeks to press for his release.
Among those considering visits is Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey, along with several House Democrats. However, not all lawmakers share Van Hollen’s concerns.
In contrast, several Republican members of Congress have recently toured the prison. West Virginia Rep. Riley Moore visited CECOT earlier this week, praising the facility and stating it houses “the country’s most brutal criminals.” He did not reference Abrego Garcia specifically but reaffirmed his support for President Trump’s immigration policies.
“I leave now even more determined to support President Trump’s efforts to secure our homeland,” Moore posted on social media.
Missouri Rep. Jason Smith, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, also toured the facility and thanked Trump for its use in detaining “illegal immigrants who broke into our country and committed violent acts against Americans.”
Legal battles over Abrego Garcia’s status are ongoing. Federal courts have repeatedly pressed the administration for answers about whether it plans to repatriate him, but government officials have thus far resisted providing a clear plan.
Meanwhile, El Salvador has been accepting hundreds of deportees from the U.S., including more than 200 Venezuelan nationals accused of gang activity. Many have been imprisoned in the same CECOT facility under President Nayib Bukele’s sweeping anti-gang campaign, which has led to the arrest of over 84,000 people.
Human rights organizations have raised alarms about the conditions inside the prison, citing allegations of torture and mistreatment. Bukele’s government denies the claims and maintains that the crackdown has been effective and necessary.
The ongoing fight over Abrego Garcia underscores a broader battle over immigration enforcement, executive power, and human rights—one that shows no signs of easing as both U.S. political parties dig in on opposite sides.