Thoughts on Senator Van Hollen’s plan to go to El Salvador to try to secure Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release?

r/

I think it’s a bold plan, and we’re certainly in a time for bold action. I’m just not sure how it would work if both authoritarian presidents are gleefully keeping him imprisoned.

https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/maryland-van-hollen-el-salvador-kilmar-abrego-garcia-deported/

Curious to hear other’s thoughts.

Comments

  1. AutoModerator Avatar

    The following is a copy of the original post to record the post as it was originally written.

    I think it’s a bold plan, and we’re certainly in a time for bold action. I’m just not sure how it would work if both authoritarian president’s are gleefully keeping him imprisoned.

    https://www.cbsnews.com/baltimore/news/maryland-van-hollen-el-salvador-kilmar-abrego-garcia-deported/

    Curious to hear other’s thoughts.

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  2. Different-Gas5704 Avatar

    It’s good for the cameras and that’s not a bad thing. I do believe it would be more effective to take the matter to the UN or even to talk to Democratic governors about the possibility of using the National Guard to restore checks and balances.

  3. Acceptable-Ability-6 Avatar

    I don’t think it’ll be successful but if they refuse to let the Senator even see Garcia then it’ll be a good indication that the guy is dead.

  4. Jagasaur Avatar

    Idk what the fuck is going to happen, but GOOD.

    If Trump is going to ignore courts and overgrown-cabbagepatch-kid Stephen Miller is going to twist SCOTUS’ ruling to fit his racist agenda, then yeah… actions over words might be necessary now.

    What’re they gonna do, arrest him? I’d hope that even Republicans would get pissed about that.

  5. hitman2218 Avatar

    I hope he’s not the only Dem on that trip. They need to push as hard as they can on this.

  6. pronusxxx Avatar

    I think it’s an awesome plan, will be interesting to see what exactly he can get done. Ultimately he should focus his power on what he can do to stop ICE within the state of Maryland but this is a good step to attempt to rectify what has already happened.

  7. GabuEx Avatar

    It seems like the exact thing that we need to see Democrats doing.

    If the Trump administration can set the precedent that as soon as they manage to get someone onto El Salvadorian soil, then they have no American rights and the American government can’t be petitioned to redress their grievances, then I feel like we’re gonna see an awful lot more “administrative errors” that result in other people landing in El Salvador.

  8. MasterCrumb Avatar

    Yeah, I think this is exactly the right play. They can even agree to bring him back.

    Now I don’t expect them to be successful- but it adds pressure to the situation, and there is a catch 22, because either you show him (and the conditions he is in) or you don’t and let speculation run wild.

  9. kinsm4n Avatar

    I think the most important part is they’re keeping the story of kilmar on the front pages and in people’s minds. It’s all performative but at least it keeps the issue front and center.

  10. MaggieMae68 Avatar

    I think it’s good. I think it’s a show of power and a show of humanity.

    I don’t think he’s going to be successful and honestly the first thing I thought of when I heard he was going was Senator Leo Ryan flying to Guyana.

    I also hope he stays safe.

  11. Hard2findausername Avatar

    Lol hopefully we leave him there.

    It’s a joke don’t get triggered.

  12. Odd-Principle8147 Avatar

    Hopefully they can get him back.

  13. ButGravityAlwaysWins Avatar

    Good from a moral standpoint and good politics as well

  14. highriskpomegranate Avatar

    I think it rocks. if I put myself in Kilmar’s position, that’s what I would want my senator to do for me. it goes beyond what’s “merely” politically effective and makes it personal.

    I also don’t think it’s zero risk for Van Hollen. obviously he’s in a much more protected position overall so I don’t want to fearmonger or anything, it’s just Trump is insane and dangerous and I suspect they have a lot to cover up down there.

    eta: also just for context, my senator is Chuck Schumer, so you can see why I think this guy is amazing. mine would never.

  15. Literotamus Avatar

    It’s necessary. That’s the key. Whether it works or not, it is required of a free state

  16. travelingtraveling_ Avatar

    Unfortunately, I believe Garcia is already dead, so this could be a fool’s misson

    Regardless, I wish them luck

  17. Due_Satisfaction2167 Avatar

    Sure.

    Though he might want to hire some mercenaries to help. Taking the prison by himself would be a challenge. 

  18. Multi_21_Seb_RBR Avatar

    I hope he has security because I keep harkening back to what happened to Congressman Leo Ryan back at Jonestown

  19. prizepig Avatar

    This is a sideshow.

    This is taking the bait.

  20. tangylittleblueberry Avatar

    I think this is what an actual patriot looks like. I doubt he will get much out of it and I hope he’s safe, but at least he’s willing to stand up and do something.

  21. BozoFromZozo Avatar

    It’s a start, but if in a week if nothing happens I think they should consider sending Obama, Biden, or Clinton there to see what’s going on.

  22. redviiper Avatar

    I pray for his safety.

  23. Spiel_Foss Avatar

    At least a few Democrats appear to have fortitude. Let’s hope it isn’t merely a performative stunt.

    This is a good first small step, but where are the Democratic leaders? Why aren’t Schumer and his little circle already in El Salvador?

    In the face of fascism, it is telling who rolls over first. Schumer appears to be the first volunteer sonderkommando at this point.

  24. Runescora Avatar

    I having flashbacks to Jonestown and how it went when a senator went there to get people back home

  25. Suitable_Ad_6455 Avatar

    Wait a minute, Trump is just going to leave them there and let Bukele jail them. Any protection accompanying them to El Salvador is under Trump’s control ultimately.

  26. FunroeBaw Avatar

    Why is El Salvador’s president so vested in keeping him locked up

  27. letusnottalkfalsely Avatar

    This is the kind of courage I’ve been wanting to see.

  28. The-zKR0N0S Avatar

    This is what we need more of

  29. PurpleSailor Avatar

    Well the DOJ says that should the prisoner show up in the US they would arrest him again which would be sad to see of course. This whole thing is fucked up.

  30. devaflave Avatar

    I want to volunteer for security. Who’s with me?

  31. Medical-Search4146 Avatar

    Democrats are so bad right now, literally any action/sign of defiance is a good thing. Thats not even a compliment, it just sad thats how far Democrats have fallen.

  32. JVilter Avatar

    Wondering what would happen if a disinterested third party country was to offer Garcia and his family asylum? I’m not at all sure who that would be, but would it be considered hostile by Trump or might it be a way to go along w/ the SC’s ruling and save face?

  33. matttheepitaph Avatar

    He’s boldly taking a stand for what he believes in. I see no issue with that.

  34. washtucna Avatar

    I suspect that it won’t work, but he should still do it, regardless. We and our leaders cannot be passive as the administration flagrantly violates US laws, norms, and basic morality.

  35. Interesting-Shame9 Avatar

    I mean i doubt it’s going to actually yield any actual results. There’s a non zero chance the guy is dead. And beyond that bukele has a lot more to gain being on good terms with trump than he does with a random senator. And even if he’s able to get Garcia out of el Salvador (which i doubt he can) there is a pretty good chance trump sabotages any attempt to bring him back into the states. Fuck trump might just deport him again who knows.

    This is basically a publicity stunt.

    That said, good! Dems should make a public show of opposing trump and show they are trying and willing to go to any personal lengths to oppose this asshole president of ours.

    I’m all for publicity stunts if it demonstrates democrats are actually trying to help. This is a good thing. But don’t expect actual results.

  36. Kunphen Avatar

    Good! Someone needs to go. Good for Chris for volunteering.

  37. BrotherTerran Avatar

    Obviously, a political stunt to get clout, nothing else. There is zero chance he gets an El Salvador citizen & prisoner back into the United States illegally. This especially true with El Salvador’s president, who just spent many years cleaning up his streets to make it one of the safest places in the western hemisphere.

  38. MissHannahJ Avatar

    I hope this inspires more Democratic politicians to take similar, bolder actions. We’re obviously at a breaking point and I’m grateful to any democratic leader that decides to step up.

    I think the more who do, the more that will feel comfortable to follow. I’d honestly really like to see AOC or Pete Buttigieg do something similar, as I feel they are spearheading the forefront of 2028 candidates (AOC probably not so much but she certainly is trying to take a leading role in the party).

  39. elljawa Avatar

    I think this is good, some would probably argue that it violates the executives rights on foreign policy stuff but I assume theyll be smart enough to avoid any conflicts there

  40. ibanezerscrooge Avatar

    More power to him and I fully support the effort and hope others join him. That said I’m not confident that much will be accomplished. I hope they facilitate his release, and others who were obviously wrongly imprisoned.

  41. watchutalkinbowt Avatar

    Anything that keeps it in the headlines is good imo

    Signalgate makes it clear that just waiting for things to fall out of the news works surprisingly well

  42. Gsomethepatient Avatar

    If he wants to cause an international incident go ahead

    The problem I’m seeing is that he had legal status but wasn’t a legal immigrant, and because 1 he is a citizen of El Salvador, and they can’t give him a passport in order to send him to the us because that would give him legal immigration status when he didn’t have that in the first place

    And 2 El Salvador is accusing him of some crimes

    Im probably wrong on some or all of this, but this is what I have gathered from what is being spread around

  43. Southern_Gent Avatar

    It’s giving Jonestown.

  44. Cynical_Classicist Avatar

    I think that it’s at least something as rather than this we need to be moderate and show how happy we are to work with Trump, Democrats should be standing up to Trump and publicly opposing his actions. Show that they want to help!