Alleged MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia seen ‘sipping margaritas’ with Sen. Van Hollen amid El Salvador deportation battle, new photos reveal

New York Post - Apr 18th, 2025

Alleged MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia was photographed with Senator Chris Van Hollen in El Salvador, amidst Abrego Garcia's controversial deportation case. El Salvador President Nayib Bukele shared images of the meeting, highlighting the unusual interaction. This meeting follows Abrego Garcia's deportation to a notorious prison in El Salvador, despite several court orders, including one from the US Supreme Court, advocating for his return to the US. Senator Van Hollen's visit aims to secure Abrego Garcia's release, as he maintains that Abrego Garcia was wrongfully deported and has not been charged with any crime.

The case has sparked international attention due to its complex legal and human rights implications. The use of the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act in deportation proceedings raises questions about legal processes and human rights standards. The meeting between a US senator and an alleged gang member emphasizes the geopolitical and diplomatic challenges surrounding immigration and deportation policies. This developing story underscores the ongoing debate about the treatment of immigrants and the balance between national security and individual rights.

Immigration Policy Deportation El Salvador Us Supreme Court Ms 13 Nayib Bukele Chris Van Hollen Kilmar Abrego Garcia

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RATING

5.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The news story addresses a timely and controversial issue involving immigration policy, international relations, and human rights. It provides a clear narrative and engages with topics of public interest, but suffers from a lack of balance and reliance on potentially biased sources. The story's accuracy is partly compromised by insufficient verification of key claims, such as Kilmar Abrego Garcia's gang affiliation and the legal context of his deportation. While it effectively captures attention and has the potential to influence public opinion, its impact may be limited by the absence of diverse perspectives and in-depth analysis. Overall, the article is readable and timely but would benefit from more comprehensive sourcing and balanced reporting to enhance its credibility and depth.

Accuracy

The story presents several factual claims that are partially supported by available evidence. It accurately reports that Kilmar Abrego Garcia was allegedly deported to El Salvador and was seen with Senator Chris Van Hollen. However, the claim of him being an MS-13 member is contentious, as he has not been charged with a crime, and his alleged gang affiliation is based on disputed evidence. The story's accuracy is undermined by the lack of verification on some points, such as the exact nature of his deportation under the Alien Enemies Act and the specific conditions of his detention. The photos of Abrego Garcia with Van Hollen are mentioned but require further context to verify the situation accurately.

Balance

The article lacks balance as it predominantly presents the perspectives of El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele and Senator Chris Van Hollen without adequately exploring other viewpoints. The narrative suggests a negative portrayal of the U.S. government's actions, especially in relation to the deportation under the Alien Enemies Act. It does not provide sufficient space for the perspectives of U.S. officials who defended the deportation or for legal experts who could offer insight into the complexities of the case. This imbalance may skew the reader's understanding of the situation by not fully representing the spectrum of opinions and facts.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and concise, with a straightforward narrative structure. It uses accessible language and provides a coherent account of the events involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia and Senator Chris Van Hollen. However, some details, such as the legal context of the deportation and the implications of the photos, are not fully explained, which may lead to confusion. The article could benefit from more detailed explanations of complex legal and political issues to enhance reader comprehension.

Source quality

The story relies heavily on social media posts from President Nayib Bukele and Senator Chris Van Hollen, which are not independent sources of information. The lack of direct quotes from legal documents or statements from U.S. immigration officials weakens the credibility of the reporting. Additionally, there is no mention of attempts to verify the claims about Abrego Garcia's gang affiliation or his deportation with independent sources, such as court records or interviews with legal experts. This reliance on potentially biased sources affects the overall reliability of the article.

Transparency

The article does not adequately disclose the methodology behind the claims of Abrego Garcia's gang affiliation or the specific legal grounds for his deportation. While it cites social media posts, it fails to provide context or background on the broader legal and political implications of the case. The lack of transparency about the sources of information and the omission of potential conflicts of interest, such as political motivations, diminishes the story's credibility. A clearer explanation of how the information was obtained and any potential biases would improve transparency.