Senator Van Hollen Addresses ‘Margarita-Gate’ Controversy After El Salvador Visit
Senator Chris Van Hollen addresses the controversy surrounding a viral photo from his El Salvador trip, emphasizing that he and Garcia did not drink the margaritas shown. He critiques the staged nature of the photo-op, claiming it serves a political distraction. Van Hollen insists that the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia violates due process rights and expresses opposition to the funding of his detention in El Salvador.
Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, addressed the media following a trip to El Salvador, where he met deported immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Upon returning, he clarified the incident surrounding a photo that went viral, referred to as “margarita-gate,” which allegedly depicted him and Garcia with margaritas. Van Hollen stressed that they did not consume the drinks, stating, “Let me just be very clear, neither of us touched the drinks that were in front of us.” He indicated the drinks were staged for the photo-op after the meeting commenced.
Van Hollen accused Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele of attempting to mislead the public with this staged photo, as earlier footage showed the table devoid of drinks. He further criticized both Bukele and the Trump administration for what he termed efforts to distract from serious issues in El Salvador. He stated, “This is a lesson into the lengths that President Bukele will do to deceive people.”
The controversy is connected to Garcia, 29, who was deported from Maryland and is now imprisoned in El Salvador. While the Trump administration argues that Garcia has gang affiliations and a history of violence, Van Hollen countered that the deportation violated Garcia’s rights to due process and insisted that there is no substantial evidence linking him to criminal activities.
Van Hollen highlighted the federal court’s decision favoring Garcia and criticized the administration’s practices regarding immigrant detention. He remarked that Judge Paula Xinis found insufficient evidence connecting Garcia with any terrorist organization.
During his trip to El Salvador, Van Hollen encountered some resistance initially when trying to meet Garcia but was eventually granted an audience at a hotel. He reported that the U.S. had allocated $15 million for detention operations in El Salvador, which he deemed unauthorized, stating, “I won’t support the use of one penny of taxpayer dollars to keep Abrego Garcia illegally detained in El Salvador.”
Republicans and supporters of former President Trump criticized Van Hollen’s decision to advocate for Garcia, given the latter’s illegality and alleged past offenses, questioning why he remains silent on crimes committed by illegal immigrants against American citizens. Van Hollen expressed sympathy for the victims while asserting the importance of due process, stating, “The reason we have courts of law is to punish the guilty, but also to make sure that those who have not committed crimes are not found guilty and arbitrarily detained.”
In conclusion, Senator Chris Van Hollen’s recent remarks concerning the viral “margarita-gate” photo emphasize his commitment to due process in immigration matters. He argues against the practices of both the Salvadoran government and the Trump administration regarding the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Van Hollen maintains that the legal system is essential to safeguard individuals’ rights, even amidst criticism for advocating on behalf of someone with a controversial background. He remains firm in his belief that taxpayer dollars should not fund unlawful detentions.
Original Source: www.foxnews.com
