Patty Morin, mother of murdered Maryland woman Rachel Morin, publicly criticized Senator Chris Van Hollen for advocating the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man deported by the Trump administration.

Abrego Garcia was deported despite a 2019 court order protecting him due to threats from rival gangs in El Salvador. The deportation has sparked legal battles, with the Trump administration acknowledging it as an “administrative error” but requesting dismissal of lawsuits concerning it.

Patty Morin expressed her frustration, highlighting the contrast between Van Hollen’s efforts for Abrego Garcia’s return and the lack of acknowledgment for her daughter’s brutal murder by Victor Martinez-Hernandez, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador. She questioned the senator’s priorities, emphasizing the need to protect American citizens.

Senator Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to meet with officials regarding Abrego Garcia’s case. However, he was denied access to the prison where Abrego Garcia is held, as reported by Reuters.

The situation underscores the ongoing debate over immigration policies, deportations, and the balance between protecting citizens and upholding international agreements.