Sen. Chris Van Hollen Describes His Meeting with Abrego Garcia in El Salvador: ‘He Was Traumatized’

EXCERPT:

VAN HOLLEN: “They landed in El Salvador and he was taken to CECOT prison. He was placed in a cell with, if I recall correctly, and don‘t hold me to it, of about 25 other prisoners at CECOT. He said he was not afraid of the other prisoners in his immediate cell, but that he was traumatized by being at CECOT and fearful of many of the prisoners in other cell blocks who called out to him and taunted him in various ways. He told me, and this was yesterday, that eight days ago, so I guess nine days ago from today, he was moved to another detention center in Santa Ana, where the conditions are better. But he said, despite the better conditions, he still has no access to any news from the outside world and no ability to communicate with anybody in the outside world. His conversation with me was the first communication he‘d had with anybody outside of prison since he was abducted. He said he felt very sad about being in a prison because he had not committed any crimes. When I asked him what was the one thing he would ask for in addition to his freedom, he said he wanted to talk to his wife, Jennifer. I told him I would work very hard to make that happen.”