Senate Republicans are pushing back after a group of Democrat lawmakers traveled to El Salvador to advocate on behalf of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man with reported MS-13 ties who is currently detained in the country’s high-security CECOT prison following deportation from the United States under President Donald Trump’s administration.
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) was the first to travel to El Salvador to meet with Abrego Garcia.
According to reports, the Maryland senator met directly with the detainee, although he has not publicly addressed the full extent of the allegations against him.
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Abrego Garcia has been accused of beating his wife and is reportedly under suspicion of involvement in human trafficking activities.
The visit has sparked sharp criticism, especially given Van Hollen’s limited public response to the brutal 2023 rape and murder of Rachel Morin, a mother of five from Maryland.
The suspect in that case, believed to be an illegal alien and gang-affiliated, remains at large.
Senate Republicans released a video on Monday mocking the Democratic delegation’s actions, styling the footage as a satirical travel advertisement titled “¡Bienvenidos a El Salvador Senate Dems!”
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The video opens with a voice-over introducing El Salvador as a tourist destination, stating, “Welcome to El Salvador, home to breathtaking sunsets, world-class surf breaks…” before cutting to a stark contrast: “…and gangbanger Kilmar Abrego Garcia.”
The video continues by calling out several Senate Democrats for what Republicans framed as misplaced priorities and political theatrics.
The narration states: “El Salvador is the destination for Democrats seeking the thrill of bringing violent criminal illegal aliens back to America. Come witness Trump Derangement Syndrome in its purest form, from Chris Van Hollen to [Sen.] Cory Booker, you may even see [Sen.] Jon Ossoff.”
The video ends with the line, “Step into the rhythm of rescue today,” a jab at what critics call the Democrats’ performative political moves.
🔥NEW DIGITAL AD:
¡Bienvenidos a El Salvador Senate Dems!
Democrats should feel free to make their trip to hang out with MS-13 gangbangers one-way 😉 pic.twitter.com/hKqzwj7GT6
— Senate Republicans (@NRSC) April 21, 2025
In addition to Van Hollen, four House Democrats also traveled to El Salvador on Monday: Rep. Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), and Rep. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ).
🚨Dems have landed in El Salvador: Rep Maxwell Frost explains that their Albrego-Garcia meeting request has been DENIED —
— because they are not there in an “official capacity” — due to Comer cutting off the funds.
Oops. pic.twitter.com/NTsBL5e1dP
— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) April 21, 2025
Their travel was not authorized by congressional funds after the House Oversight Committee, led by Chairman James Comer (R-KY), denied the request.
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
Despite making the trip, the group was reportedly not granted access to visit Abrego Garcia.
Salvadoran officials stated the lawmakers were not recognized as part of an official government delegation.
While Democrats framed the trip as a humanitarian visit, Republican lawmakers have criticized the effort as misguided, noting that the focus on a deported individual with alleged gang affiliations stands in stark contrast to the silence surrounding American victims of gang-related violence.
🚨 LMAO! Cory Booker, aka Spartacus, is considering leading a trip of Congressmen to El Salvador to DEMAND a member of violent gang MS-13 be returned to the United States
Democrats are going ALL IN on flooding the streets with gangs.
Good luck in 2026 🤣pic.twitter.com/igPn5njh9k
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 15, 2025
Kilmar Abrego Garcia remains in custody in El Salvador’s CECOT prison, which is known for housing thousands of the country’s most violent criminals, including members of the MS-13 and 18th Street gangs.
His detention followed immigration enforcement policies aimed at deporting illegal immigrants with criminal backgrounds.
The episode is part of a broader political divide over immigration enforcement and foreign detention policies, particularly under President Trump’s administration, which prioritized removing violent offenders from U.S. communities.
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