Congressman Robert Garcia and Congressman Maxwell Frost Demand Oversight CODEL Travel to El Salvadorian Prison Holding Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Robert Garcia (CA-42) and Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL-10) sent a letter to House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer requesting authorization for a Congressional Member Delegation (CODEL) to visit Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT). The maximum-security prison in Tecoluca, El Salvador, is illegally holding Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national and resident of Maryland who held legal status. The letter can be found here. 

“In a unanimous decision in Noem v. Abrego Garcia, the United States Supreme Court ordered “the government to ‘facilitate’ Mr. Abrego Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been, had he not been wrongfully deported.” A Congressional delegation would allow Committee Members to conduct a welfare check on Mr. Abrego Garcia, as well as others held at CECOT, such as Andry José Hernandez—a 30-year-old LGBTQ makeup artist who passed a ‘credible fear’ interview during his legal asylum process before being deported,” wrote the lawmakers.

Congressman Garcia remains committed to reforming our immigration system, creating fair pathways to citizenship, and treating immigrants with respect and dignity. In July 2024, Congressman Garcia introduced the SHIELD Act, which allocated grants through the Attorney General and the Department of Justice to local and state governments to support the recruitment of staff and attorneys to ensure that immigrants receive quality, affordable representation in immigration court. Last Congress, Congressman Garcia led investigations into fundamental integrity and credibility issues within the DHS, including identifying what actions have been taken to address the threat of domestic violent extremism within the DHS. Congressman Garcia has also defended humane immigration procedures and condemned extreme rhetoric on immigration and border security that dehumanizes migrants legally seeking asylum. Congressman Garcia has also investigated the use of inappropriate language and behavior among Border Patrol agents within ICE toward immigrants following reports from the Huffington Post. Congressman Garcia also continues to champion legislation that increases resources and efficiencies for vital government departments and agencies.

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