House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) has denied a request from two Democratic lawmakers seeking to use taxpayer funds to travel to El Salvador to meet with a deported illegal immigrant identified as a member of the violent MS-13 gang.
In a letter dated this week, Comer formally rejected the request from Reps. Robert Garcia (D-CA) and Maxwell Frost (D-FL), who asked the committee to authorize travel expenses for a trip to El Salvador.
The purpose of the trip was to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadorian national previously deported from the United States after being identified by law enforcement and multiple court rulings as a confirmed MS-13 member.
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“It is absurd that you both displayed active hostility for over two years toward the Committee’s oversight of the Biden Border Crisis and the consequences of millions of illegal aliens entering the country, yet now, you are seeking travel at Committee expense to meet with foreign gang members,” Comer wrote in response.
He added, “You may be pleased to know that a Democrat Senator, Chris Van Hollen, was photographed just yesterday in El Salvador enjoying margaritas garnished with cherry slices with the foreign gang member your letter references. If you also wish to meet with him, you can spend your own money. But I will not approve a single dime of taxpayer funds for use on the excursion you have requested.”
If Democrats wish to travel to El Salvador and meet with a foreign illegal MS-13 gang member, they can spend their own money to do so.
I will not approve a single dime of Oversight Committee taxpayer funds for use on the excursion Democrats have requested. pic.twitter.com/ldokDJBTve
— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) April 18, 2025
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The request came shortly after a photo circulated online showing Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) meeting with Abrego Garcia during his recent trip to El Salvador.
In the image, Van Hollen appeared to be seated with Abrego Garcia while drinking margaritas.
Now that he’s been confirmed healthy, he gets the honor of staying in El Salvador’s custody https://t.co/2xVt4SNOGn
— Nayib Bukele (@nayibbukele) April 18, 2025
The photo quickly drew criticism as new evidence confirmed Abrego Garcia’s gang ties, including visible MS-13 tattoos and court findings substantiating his affiliation.
According to U.S. law enforcement officials, Abrego Garcia entered the country illegally in 2011.
Despite a final deportation order issued in 2019, he remained in the United States until being deported earlier this year.
Court documents and a Homeland Security Investigations report confirmed that Abrego Garcia had been linked to MS-13 activity, human trafficking, and had been the subject of a protection order filed by his wife in 2021.
President Donald Trump addressed the controversy on Truth Social, sharing a photo of Abrego Garcia’s tattooed hand and stating,
“This is the hand [bearing gang tattoos] of the man that the Democrats feel should be brought back to the United States, because he is such ‘a fine and innocent person.’”
This is the hand of the man that the Democrats feel should be brought back to the United States, because he is such “a fine and innocent person.” They said he is not a member of MS-13, even though he’s got MS-13 tattooed onto his knuckles, and two Highly Respected Courts found… pic.twitter.com/31sNr2k1SK
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 18, 2025
The image and further documentation contradict prior media claims and statements by some Democratic officials who portrayed Abrego Garcia as a wrongly deported resident of Maryland.
Critics of the trip have pointed to the irony of Democratic lawmakers now seeking to meet with a deported gang member while having previously dismissed or opposed the Oversight Committee’s investigations into the border crisis and illegal immigration.
Republican lawmakers have argued that resources would be better spent addressing border security and the safety of American communities rather than facilitating international meetings with known gang members.
Chairman Comer’s decision signals a firm stance from the House Oversight Committee that no taxpayer funds will be allocated toward trips that do not serve the interests of public safety or national oversight.
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