Why was US senator Chris Van Hollen allowed to meet deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia in El Salvador hours after being denied?

Democrat US senator Chris Van Hollen met Kilmar Abrego Garcia , mistakenly deported under the Trump administration , at a hotel in El Salvador on Thursday, hours after being denied entry to the prison where Garcia is held.

A photo posted by Hollen shows the two sitting across from each other in a dining area.

I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar. Tonight I had that chance. I have called his wife, Jennifer, to pass along his message of love. I look forward to providing a full update upon my return. pic.twitter.com/U9y2gZpxCb

— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) April 18, 2025

In other photos shared by Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele , drinks were seen on the table during the meeting, which Bukele mocked, saying that now that Abrego Garcia’s health had been "confirmed," he had earned the “honour” of remaining in El Salvador’s custody.

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

Why did El Salvador allow the meeting after the denial?

• The Salvadoran government has not given any reason why the meeting took place after the initial denial.
• According to ABC news, Garcia’s family claims president Bukele himself authorised the meeting
• Some believe Bukle may have arranged the meeting to deflect growing criticism that Garcia was being mistreated.
• The change may also reflect mounting pressure from US courts, which have accused the Trump administration of ignoring legal orders related to Garcia’s return.

On Wednesday, Hollen met El Salvador's vice-president, Felix Ulloa. Speaking with reporters following the meeting, Hollen said the vice president asked him to return the following week. When the senator asked if he could speak to Garcia, Ulloa replied that the request would have to come from the US embassy.

Garcia, 29, was protected from deportation under an immigration judge’s order due to threats of gang violence in El Salvador. Despite this, he was deported last month. The Trump administration later admitted it was a mistake, but no steps have been taken to bring him back. El Salvador's president Bukele in his recent visit to Washington, also stood with Trump refusing to release Abrego Garcia.

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