Senators Push for Transparency on Trump Administration’s Deportations to El Salvador

Democratic U.S. senators recently introduced legislation demanding that the Trump administration report on deportations to El Salvador, specifically related to the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported. The bill includes assessments of human rights in El Salvador and could halt U.S. security funding if reports are withheld. This follows court mandates for the administration to facilitate Garcia’s return, underscoring rising tensions and legal challenges surrounding deportation policies.

On Thursday, a group of Democratic U.S. senators unveiled new legislation aimed at compelling the Trump administration to provide detailed reports on deportations to El Salvador. This legislative move coincides with ongoing legal disputes surrounding the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man wrongfully deported to a prison in El Salvador back in March due to what the administration admits was an administrative error.

The bill, introduced by Senators including Maryland’s Chris Van Hollen and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, also calls for a review of the human rights situation in El Salvador. Importantly, it seeks confirmation about whether U.S. funds are being allocated to support the detention of U.S. residents there. Abrego Garcia’s deportation has raised alarms given that he was among about 200 migrants sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador this March.

El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele had expressed willingness to receive alleged gang members, making use of the Alien Enemies Act – a law from World War II – to facilitate these deportations. This arrangement has prompted concerns among several lawmakers, including Senator Van Hollen, who has repeatedly advocated for Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States. During a recent visit to El Salvador, Van Hollen discussed this with Vice President Félix Ulloa, who indicated that the U.S. is financially incentivizing El Salvador to detain Abrego Garcia.

In his communication to President Trump, Van Hollen asserted, “…the Government of El Salvador is holding him solely at the request of your Administration and, specifically, because you are paying them to imprison him.” Under the provisions of the proposed legislation, the U.S. would halt any security assistance to El Salvador if reports regarding deportations are not rendered by the Trump administration.

This legislation is positioned under the Foreign Assistance Act, thereby necessitating a Senate vote on the matter. In a statement on Thursday, Van Hollen expressed, “The American people deserve answers on this clear defiance of our nation’s constitutional rights and the extent of El Salvador’s complicity in this scheme, as well as its human rights abuses.” As the case surrounding Kilmar Abrego Garcia unfolds, it has surfaced that both a federal judge and the Supreme Court have mandated the Trump administration to facilitate his return.

Garcia had received a “withholding of removal” order from a U.S. immigration judge back in 2019, making the deportation highly contentious. On April 30, a federal judge turned down a request from the Trump administration for additional time to clarify the situation regarding Abrego Garcia’s deportation. Judge Paula Xinis has expressed tangible frustration, noting the administration’s “willful and bad faith refusal to comply” with court directives, which raises significant legal and ethical questions as this situation continues to develop.

The newly introduced legislation by Democratic senators seeks to bring accountability to the Trump administration regarding deportations to El Salvador, particularly in light of the Kilmar Abrego Garcia case. As concerns mount over human rights and U.S. complicity in his detention, the senators aim to ensure transparency and compliance with court orders. The ongoing legal battles highlight broader issues surrounding immigration policies and international cooperation with countries like El Salvador, indicating more scrutiny ahead.

Original Source: www.cbsnews.com