More Dem Lawmakers Head To El Salvador
A growing faction of Democrat lawmakers has doubled down on efforts to advocate for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an accused member of the MS-13 gang currently detained in El Salvador following his deportation by the Trump administration.
On Monday, Reps. Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), and Robert Garcia (D-CA) arrived in the Central American nation to pressure the administration into facilitating Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States, citing a Supreme Court decision and alleged violations of due process.
The group follows in the footsteps of Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), whose own visit to El Salvador to meet with Abrego Garcia was recently scrutinized after it was revealed that taxpayer dollars funded the trip. In contrast, the latest delegation’s visit was privately funded after House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-TN) denied the use of federal funds for their travel.
NEW: @RepYassAnsari posts her first IG video from El Salvador where she and three colleagues hope to shine a light on Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s story and keep the pressure on Donald Trump to secure his safe return home. We scooped the trip this AM. Story below. pic.twitter.com/vwwoRBfjVS
— Pablo Manríquez (@PabloReports) April 21, 2025
The lawmakers’ press release referred to Abrego Garcia as a “Maryland man,” despite his illegal entry into the United States more than a decade ago. Their mission, according to the statement, is twofold: to advocate for his return and to raise awareness of other detainees allegedly being held without due process. However, their campaign has ignited fierce criticism given the nature of the allegations against Abrego Garcia, including domestic abuse and suspected gang affiliation.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified Abrego Garcia as a member of MS-13 and cited a protection order filed by his wife in support of his removal. Critics argue that the lawmakers are undermining immigration enforcement and national security by attempting to reverse the deportation of an individual with a serious criminal profile.
Rep. Ansari, a freshman lawmaker of Iranian descent, framed the situation in stark terms: “This is a constitutional crisis.” Drawing on her family’s history of fleeing authoritarianism, she compared Abrego Garcia’s deportation to political disappearances in Iran, alleging “complete disregard of due process” by the Trump administration.
Her colleagues echoed that sentiment. Rep. Garcia, who was previously undocumented, characterized the deportation as a violation of American values. Rep. Frost went further, accusing the administration of operating a “government-funded kidnapping program,” while Rep. Dexter argued that if such treatment could happen to Abrego Garcia, “it can happen to anyone.”
Their rhetoric, while resonating with some progressive constituencies, stands in sharp contrast to the Trump administration’s defense of its immigration enforcement policies. DHS maintains that Abrego Garcia was lawfully deported under established procedures, and Salvadoran authorities have confirmed his custody status and health.