House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) is reportedly urging fellow Democrats to halt any further travel to El Salvador following growing scrutiny over visits tied to the deportation of Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, an illegal alien recently removed from the United States.
Abrego-Garcia, who resided in Maryland prior to his deportation, was sent back to El Salvador earlier this year after being linked to criminal activity and suspected gang affiliations, including alleged ties to MS-13.
The deportation, carried out under President Donald Trump’s administration, sparked outcry from several Democrats, some of whom traveled to Central America to advocate for his return.
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The Democratic leadership’s recent posture marks a shift. Jeffries’ office has reportedly expressed hesitation over additional congressional travel to El Salvador related to the case, though the office has yet to issue an official directive confirming the freeze.
The deportation itself has become a flashpoint as additional evidence has surfaced suggesting that Abrego-Garcia was not only associated with MS-13, but had also been the subject of domestic violence allegations.
The situation escalated this week when Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) criticized Jeffries and the Democrat-led travel efforts, calling them a misuse of public resources.
“Hakeem, allowing your members to fly to El Salvador on the taxpayers’ dime to play footsie with violent gang members was obviously astonishingly bad politics. Please, keep it up!” Cruz posted on social media platform X.
Hakeem, allowing your members to fly to El Salvador on the taxpayers dime to play footsie with violent gang members was obviously astonishingly bad politics.
Please, keep it up! 🤣🤣 https://t.co/uTh0x1gnh1
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) April 30, 2025
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Jeffries responded to Cruz’s remarks, writing, “Nobody takes you seriously at this point,” prompting further reaction from the Texas Republican.
This from someone who abandoned his state during a historic winter storm to vacation in Cancun.
Nobody takes you seriously at this point.
And that’s Leader Jeffries to you, Edward. https://t.co/qSONuIkDLc
— Hakeem Jeffries (@hakeemjeffries) May 1, 2025
Cruz fired back by referencing his recent reelection victory over former Rep. Colin Allred (D-TX), a close political ally of Jeffries.
“It’s OK, Hakeem. I’m very sorry I beat your friend’s ass,” Cruz replied, attaching a photograph of Jeffries with Allred.
It’s OK, Hakeem. I’m very sorry I beat your friend’s ass. https://t.co/hFHVESCi6o pic.twitter.com/26Pj8u4ggh
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) May 1, 2025
“And that’s Leader Jeffries to you, Edward.” 🤣 https://t.co/iHwu8ol4mD pic.twitter.com/YghMxYvLyY
— Team Cruz (@TeamTedCruz) May 1, 2025
The online exchange came amid renewed attention to the original deportation case that triggered the political fallout.
Abrego-Garcia was reportedly deported to CECOT, a high-security Salvadoran prison housing gang affiliates.
Federal records and bodycam footage have tied him to a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee where he was found transporting multiple individuals in a vehicle linked to a convicted human smuggler.
He was also found in possession of a significant amount of cash and had no valid driver’s license.
In addition, records show that his wife had previously obtained restraining orders against him for alleged domestic abuse.
Despite these developments, some Democratic lawmakers traveled to El Salvador in recent months to express support for Abrego-Garcia and protest the deportation.
The visits received criticism for appearing to endorse an individual with a documented history of alleged violence and suspected gang ties.
With more information surfacing about Abrego-Garcia’s background, Democratic leaders now face pressure to reevaluate their response and messaging on immigration enforcement cases tied to public safety concerns.
While Jeffries’ office has remained largely noncommittal publicly, behind-the-scenes efforts to scale back travel suggest an effort to mitigate further political damage.
The case continues to draw strong reactions on both sides of the aisle as President Trump’s immigration policies remain a central issue heading into the next legislative cycle.
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