The Maryland office and national headquarters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today applauded the attempt by Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia in an El Salvador prison where he was negligently sent by the Trump administration.
Van Hollen was denied a meeting or phone call with Garcia, but he did meet with the vice president of El Salvador.
In a statement, CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:
“Senator Van Hollen’s commitment to justice and due process is exemplified by his trip to El Salvador to advocate for Maryland father Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be safely returned home after he was negligently deported by the Trump administration.
“The Supreme Court’s 9-0 ruling in his favor must be upheld. It is imperative that we uphold the rule of law and ensure that every individual is treated justly, regardless of the political climate.
“Senator Van Hollen’s dedication reflects not only a commitment to bringing this father home, but also to protecting the very foundation of our crumbling democracy. Every member of Congress should follow his lead.”
Chaudry added that earlier this week, CAIR condemned an “unjust farce” in the Oval Office after President Trump and El Salvadorian president Nayib Bukele doubled down on their refusal to return Garcia, who was wrongly deported to El Salvador due to an alleged “administrative error.”
She noted that CAIR previously applauded a ruling from U.S. District Judge Paula Xin is ordering the Trump administration to return Garcia home.
SEE: CAIR Welcomes Federal Court Ruling that Maryland Father Deported in Error Must Be Returned to U.S.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062;
CAIR Maryland Outreach Coordinator Kimberly Syuardi, ksyuardi@cair.com, 202-850-9293; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com