Democratic senator says he'll go to El Salvador 'to show solidarity' if deported man is not returned

"As you indicated, the Trump Administration itself has admitted that he was abducted and sent to this prison in error, and he should get his due process," Van Hollen said. 

Garcia was granted temporary protection status in the U.S. by a court in 2019 from being removed to El Salvador, after it determined he would face criminal prosecution from gangs if he were removed to his home country.

"I hope to meet with officials of the government of El Salvador," Van Hollen said of his potential solidarity trip. 

"I don't know if the president is going to be in country at that time," Van Hollen added. "I also hope to visit this notorious prison to see Abrego Garcia, to let him know that his family and friends are very worried about him, as am I." 

"I think that the situation for both the Trump Administration and the president of El Salvador is unsustainable because the Supreme Court, as you reported, by 9-0 has said that Trump Administration has to facilitate his return," Van Hollen said. "And you have the president of El Salvador saying, 'Well, I don't have the power to release him.' Both things are untrue. The president could, of course, facilitate his return." 

"So, look, you can agree or disagree with the students, but what the whole - what the purpose of the First Amendment is, is that you don't have the government dictating speech as the Trump Administration is trying to do," Van Hollen said. "So, I'm glad Harvard is standing up here."