Newark, NJ — New Jersey U.S. Sen. Cory Booker is weighing whether to lead a congressional delegation to El Salvador in an effort to demand the return of an accused MS-13 gang member to the United States, according to a report published Monday by Axios.
The individual at the center of the controversy is Abrego Garcia, a native of El Salvador who was previously slated for deportation in 2019. A U.S. immigration judge halted that removal after determining Garcia “likely faced persecution there by local gangs,” Axios reported.
Garcia has been accused of being a member of the notorious transnational criminal group MS-13. The gang has been designated as a major threat by U.S. law enforcement agencies due to its involvement in violent crime and human trafficking.
Booker is reportedly considering the international trip alongside Democratic Reps. Robert Garcia of California and Maxwell Frost of Florida. According to Axios, dozens of other House Democrats have also expressed interest in participating in the potential visit.
The effort aims to pressure Salvadoran authorities to release Garcia from custody and allow his return to the United States, where Democratic lawmakers argue he is entitled to due process. The Trump administration previously deported Garcia despite the immigration court’s ruling, raising concerns among Democrats about the legality of that move.
“The court has ordered the return of this person and that the Trump administration should do it,” Booker stated in remarks obtained by Axios.
Legal, political concerns collide in high-profile deportation case
Critics of the deportation have accused the Trump administration of undermining judicial orders by cooperating with El Salvador’s leadership to hold individuals like Garcia in severe prison conditions without what they describe as proper legal proceedings.
“This is about every American understanding that this president is making an assault on the due process rights that are afforded to people in our country,” the same Booker continued.
Supporters of the deportation have pointed to Garcia’s alleged ties to MS-13 as grounds for his removal from U.S. soil. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has not commented on the possibility of Garcia’s return.
If the trip materializes, it would be a rare instance of sitting members of Congress traveling abroad to demand the release of an individual from foreign custody who is not a U.S. citizen. No formal plans or travel dates have been announced as of Tuesday.
Key Points
- Sen. Cory Booker is considering leading a trip to El Salvador regarding an accused MS-13 member.
- Abrego Garcia, the individual in question, was previously ordered not to be deported by a U.S. immigration judge.
- Dozens of House Democrats are also interested in participating in the potential diplomatic mission.
