A growing controversy is surrounding several Democratic lawmakers after multiple trips to El Salvador in an effort to intervene in the deportation case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member and accused domestic abuser.
The situation has drawn bipartisan scrutiny, intensified criticism from Republican lawmakers, and backlash from victims’ families impacted by violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) first traveled to El Salvador earlier this year in an attempt to advocate for the return of Abrego Garcia, who was deported under federal orders.
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Van Hollen, who referred to Abrego Garcia as a “constituent,” faced public backlash after photos circulated of him with the deported individual, seated at a table with margaritas nearby.
The optics of the meeting sparked criticism from political opponents and victims’ advocates alike.
The matter escalated earlier this week when four House Democrats—Reps. Robert Garcia (CA), Maxwell Frost (FL), Yassamin Ansari (AZ), and Maxine Dexter (OR)—made their own trip to El Salvador to seek Abrego Garcia’s release.
However, Salvadoran officials quickly rejected their efforts, stating that the group was not acting in any official capacity and had no authority to engage in diplomatic matters.
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Despite the clear position of the Salvadoran government and a firm stance by the Trump administration that Abrego Garcia will not be permitted to return to the United States, the four lawmakers returned and reaffirmed their support for him during a segment on CNN.
They pledged to continue advocating for Abrego Garcia’s release, even in the face of international rebuke and strong opposition from El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele.
President Bukele has repeatedly stated that his administration will not release Abrego Garcia and has signaled a zero-tolerance approach to foreign interference in domestic justice matters.
U.S. officials working with the Trump administration have reinforced that the deportation of Abrego Garcia was carried out lawfully and that there are no plans to reverse it.
The efforts by Van Hollen and the four House Democrats have triggered a wave of criticism from Republicans, who have labeled the delegation the “Congressional MS-13 Caucus.”
The Congressional MS-13 Caucus just held their first townhall! https://t.co/KgTzf5Bl2B pic.twitter.com/9YERZnQJn6
— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) April 22, 2025
Some lawmakers have pointed to Van Hollen’s prior record, noting that he once supported strong action against MS-13 gang members, particularly in states like Maryland and California, which have struggled with gang-related violence.
Van Hollen in 2017: “We should be focused on MS-13”
Van Hollen in 2025: Hold my margarita. https://t.co/rIpByOcjGv pic.twitter.com/aZYXfUvk13
— Steve Guest (@SteveGuest) April 22, 2025
The controversy has also resurfaced outrage from victims’ families.
Patty Morin, the mother of Rachel Morin—a Maryland mother of five who was brutally raped and murdered in 2023 by another illegal immigrant from El Salvador, Victor Martinez-Hernandez—condemned Van Hollen and other Democrats for what she described as a lack of concern for American victims.
“[Van Hollen] did not call our family. He did not give condolences. There was no action on the Democratic Party in any way, from Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Mayorkas, anyone here in Maryland,” Morin said in a recent interview.
“None of the senators did anything to help search for the murderer of my daughter.”
Morin’s statement has intensified criticism of Democratic lawmakers’ handling of illegal immigration and deportation cases, particularly when those cases involve individuals accused of violent crimes.
While Democrats continue to advocate for the reconsideration of Abrego Garcia’s deportation, Republican leaders have made clear that the case will remain closed.
The incident has added to mounting concerns over immigration policy and public safety ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
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