Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s (D-Md.) trip to El Salvador to visit a mistakenly deported constituent has thrust the mild-mannered lawmaker into a major battle with the Trump administration as it doubles down on its pledge to keep Kilmar Abrego Garcia imprisoned abroad.

Van Hollen embarked for the Central American nation on Wednesday after saying he would travel there if Abrego Garcia had not been returned by mid-week.

In doing so, Van Hollen traveled straight to the capital of a country whose government rebuffed his request to meet with President Nayib Bukele, and who has vowed not to release Abrego Garcia.

“This case is not just about one man, it's about protecting the constitutional rights of everybody who resides in the United States of America,” Van Hollen said at a press conference after landing at Dulles International Airport, appearing alongside members of Abrego Garcia’s family.

“That's why I traveled to El Salvador leaving here on Wednesday, and I want to express my gratitude to members of my family and members of my staff who agree that we all must be prepared to take risks because of the current risk to our constitution itself.”

Van Hollen achieved the main objective of his trip in meeting with Abrego Garcia. The senator did so despite being told such a visit was not possible and having his car physically blocked by authorities as he attempted to visit the notorious prison his constituent was being held.

To Van Hollen, the trip was one small step to address an injustice after Abrego Garcia was sent to a Salvadoran prison despite a 2019 immigration court ruling protecting him from being deported to his home country.

And while the White House has claimed Abrego Garcia was a member of MS-13, the assertion is largely based on one confidential tip that he was part of the gang’s New York branch — a state where he has never lived. Democrats argue the disputed details are a key example of why judicial review is needed before migrants are whisked away to a foreign prison.

In taking the 2,000-mile trip to San Salvador, Van Hollen earned pushback from the GOP, with White House border czar Tom Homan calling the trip “disgusting.”

“Rather than taking care of the........

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