‘He’s Experienced Trauma’: Van Hollen Details His Visit With Abrego Garcia

“They want to create this appearance that life was just lovely for Kilmar,” Van Hollen said of the Salvadoran government.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Kilmar Abrego Garcia

AP

Sen. Chris Van Hollen told reporters Friday that Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia said he’s been traumatized from his experiences in El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison and another Salvadoran detention center.

“Getting a meeting with Kilmar was not easy,” Van Hollen said after returning from El Salvador, where he met with Abrego Garcia on Thursday. “He’s obviously in a terrible situation, as I said, he’s experienced trauma. He said he’s sad every day.”

Van Hollen told reporters that after initially being told he couldn’t meet with Abrego Garcia, he received word Thursday that a meeting would be arranged, with Abrego Garcia brought to his hotel.