Sen. Van Hollen Addresses ‘Margarita-Gate’ After El Salvador Visit

Senator Chris Van Hollen addressed controversy surrounding his trip to El Salvador to meet Kilmar Abrego Garcia, denouncing ‘margarita-gate’ as a staged photo-op. He emphasized the importance of due process and criticized the Trump administration for its role in Garcia’s deportation, which he deemed unlawful. Despite backlash over advocating for Garcia, Van Hollen maintained that his actions were to uphold constitutional rights.

Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland addressed reporters upon his return from a trip to El Salvador, where he met with deported illegal immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia. This meeting was surrounded by controversy, often referred to as “margarita-gate” due to a viral photo shared by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, which appeared to show the senator and Garcia with margaritas at a table. Van Hollen clarified that they did not consume any drinks during the meeting, emphasizing that the drinks were placed solely for the photo-op.

According to Senator Van Hollen, the drinks were positioned after the meeting had commenced, aiming for a staged presentation. He remarked, “Neither of us touched the drinks that were in front of us,” providing evidence that the glasses were untouched as they showed no signs from being sipped, which would normally create a gap where sugar or salt would be absent. The senator accused both President Bukele and the previous Trump administration of misleading the public amid concerns about a constitutional crisis.

The backdrop of the saga involves the deportation of Garcia, who was removed from Maryland to El Salvador, with federal officials declaring this deportation an “administrative error.” Van Hollen asserted that this action infringed on Garcia’s constitutional due process rights, a claim disputed by the Trump administration citing Garcia’s alleged gang affiliations and involvement in human trafficking. A Homeland Security report identified him as a member of MS-13 and raised serious concerns about his past, including domestic violence.

Despite these allegations, Van Hollen maintained that no substantiated evidence linking Garcia to criminal activities has been presented in court, reinforcing his argument against unlawful deportation actions. He indicated that several judicial rulings supported Garcia’s case, asserting that the Trump administration was attempting to detain individuals unlawfully.

During his trip, Van Hollen encountered obstacles in meeting Garcia, initially being denied entry, but was later granted access to a recorded meeting after press intervention. He revealed that the U.S. had allocated $15 million for detention operations in El Salvador, of which over $4 million had already been expended, asserting that he would oppose any future funding intended for Garcia’s detention.

The senator faced criticism, particularly from Republicans and Trump supporters, for advocating on behalf of Garcia, contrasting sharply with victims of violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants, such as Rachel Morin. The White House highlighted the contrasting narratives with a side-by-side visual comparison between Trump meeting with Morin’s mother and Van Hollen with Garcia. Van Hollen expressed sympathy for Morin’s family but defended his position by emphasizing the importance of due process and the judicial system, stating, “The reason we have courts of law is to punish the guilty, but also to make sure that those who have not committed crimes are not found guilty and arbitrarily detained.”

In conclusion, Senator Chris Van Hollen clarified the controversy around his meeting with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, asserting that the drinks photographed were merely for display and were not consumed. This situation highlights broader issues concerning deportation practices and constitutional rights. Critics challenge his advocacy due to Garcia’s alleged criminal background, yet Van Hollen defends his actions as necessary to uphold due process under the law.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com