U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter travels to El Salvador to push for return of Maryland resident

Think Out Loud

U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter travels to El Salvador to push for return of Maryland resident

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Published on Apr 22, 2025, 1:12:13 PM
Total time: 00:13:40

Episode Description

Democratic Oregon U.S. Rep. Maxine Dexter traveled to El Salvador, along with three other Democratic Congressional representatives, to push for the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. The Maryland resident was sent to El Salvador last month without a court hearing and despite a 2019 order from an immigration judge that barred his deportation. The Trump administration has accused Abrego Garcia of being a member of the El Salvadoran gang MS-13 and engaging in human trafficking. 

Last week, Democratic U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland traveled to El Salvador where he was eventually able to meet with Abrego Garcia. Rep. Dexter joins us to explain why she also decided to make a trip there, which she argues is less about Abrego Garcia’s particular case and more fundamentally about the constitutional right to due process. The U.S. Supreme Court has ordered the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return from detention, which it has refused to do. 

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