Cory Booker to advocate for wrongly deported man in El Salvador visit

Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey is set to visit El Salvador to advocate for the return of Kilmar Ábrego García, a Maryland resident who was wrongfully deported. His planned trip follows a visit by Senator Chris Van Hollen, who met with Ábrego García, deported under an acknowledged administrative error by the Trump administration. Despite a Supreme Court decision mandating Ábrego García’s return, the administration has yet to take necessary actions, and the government of El Salvador has denied Van Hollen a meeting with the deportee.

The case of Ábrego García has galvanized Democratic lawmakers, highlighting concerns regarding the Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement and disregard for judicial rulings. A 2019 immigration judge had ruled that Ábrego García should not be deported due to potential retaliation he could face in El Salvador. Senator Booker has called on Congress to support the rule of law, stating that there is no debate over the need for the administration to act on this court order.

In response, officials from the Trump administration have claimed that Democrats prioritize undocumented immigrants over US citizens. Meanwhile, Republican Congressman Riley Moore visited the facility where Ábrego García is being held, showcasing a dissonance between party perspectives on immigration enforcement. Additional Democratic representatives, such as Adriano Espaillat and Delia Ramirez, have expressed interest in visiting El Salvador and its detention facilities to further investigate the matter.

Senator Booker, known for his opposition to Trump’s policies, is speculated to be considering a future presidential run. He recently delivered an extensive speech in the Senate criticizing Trump’s presidency, characterizing it as a significant threat to democracy and the Constitution.