House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is caught in a Democratic Party squabble over showy trips to El Salvador that some members think spotlight human rights abuses, while others see as political grandstanding.
The Bulwark reported that on April 14, 2025, Jeffries faced questions about pushing for the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and 238 other men deported to El Salvador to be held in high-security prisons for gang members.
The issue began gaining traction when Sen. Chris Van Hollen visited El Salvador, meeting Abrego Garcia and confirming his health.
This visit led to Abrego Garcia’s transfer from the notorious CECOT prison to another facility. Van Hollen’s trip set a precedent, prompting other Democrats to follow suit.
Reps. Robert Garcia, Yassamin Ansari, Maxwell Frost, and Maxine Dexter traveled to El Salvador to draw attention to the deported men. Their trip aimed to highlight the plight of those gang members, many of whom are violent offenders. However, they were denied access to Abrego Garcia and other detainees.
Behind closed doors, Jeffries has reportedly put his foot down against more trips, believing they are harming Democrats in the eyes of regular Americans. Two Democratic aides and a lawmaker noted his stance, arguing the visits risk becoming political fodder for Republicans. Jeffries’s office, through spokesperson Christie Stephenson, called such reports “false” and “thinly sourced.”
Despite this, Jeffries publicly demanded swift action on April 14, 2025, after the Supreme Court ruled the White House must facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return.
“Mr. Abrego Garcia must be returned immediately before he is killed in one of the most dangerous prisons in the world,” Jeffries stated. He urged the order be enforced “aggressively” and “immediately.”
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus, led by Rep. Adriano Espaillat, has been planning its trip to El Salvador. Espaillat, who attended President Nayib Bukele’s inauguration in June 2024 with other caucus members, insists on access to Abrego Garcia. The caucus has been negotiating with El Salvador for weeks.
Some Democrats, like Sen. Cory Booker, reportedly considered trips, though his office hasn’t confirmed plans. The ongoing debate reflects weeks of internal party discussions on how forcefully to challenge Trump’s mass deportation policies.
Polls indicate public concern over the lack of due process in these deportations, with Trump’s approval ratings dipping at his term’s 100-day mark.
Rep. Gabe Vasquez, a border district Democrat, has spoken out against due process violations. “We’re seeing innocent people, the spouses of military service members, kids being deported,” Vasquez said at a town hall. His comments drew scrutiny after he voted against the Laken Riley Act, which mandates ICE detention for minor violations.
Vasquez’s stance was highlighted in a Fox News story criticizing his vote. The congressman, who won re-election in 2024 by about 9,000 votes, argued that Trump’s deportation approach weakens his position. “Trump is taking a wrong turn on his mass deportation force,” Vasquez noted.
Abrego Garcia’s case is complicated by personal allegations. His wife sought a protective order, citing caution due to past domestic violence in a prior relationship. This has led some, like Rep. Henry Cuellar, to question his suitability as a cause célèbre.
Cuellar bluntly criticized using Abrego Garcia to advocate for due process. “This is not the right person to be saying that we need to bring him back to the United States,” Cuellar told Fox News Radio. His remarks highlight the party’s struggle to find a unified message.
Chris Newman, a lawyer for Abrego Garcia’s family, defended the trips’ impact. “The trips have proven effective both in the efforts to save Mr. Abrego Garcia’s life and to save Democrats from the quagmire they are in on immigration,” Newman said. He urged more action, criticizing Cuellar’s stance as misguided.
A Democratic staffer suggested the trips remind El Salvador to act cautiously while Trump’s influence is temporary. “No matter what his hat sales say, he’s not going to get a third term,” the staffer quipped. However, another staffer argued that additional trips could harm vulnerable Democrats electorally.
“One trip was sufficient, it made sense that Van Hollen went,” a second staffer said, noting that further visits by “safe” Democrats give Republicans attack material. A Democratic lawmaker emphasized the need for party discipline. “As a member of a party, you need to be disciplined,” the lawmaker said.