A significant controversy has emerged surrounding U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s recent visit to El Salvador, sparking outrage from the family of a young woman murdered by an undocumented immigrant. The situation highlights a perceived lack of support for victims of violent crime and raises questions about the allocation of taxpayer funds.
Patty Morin, Rachel Morin’s mother, vehemently criticized Senator Van Hollen’s trip, arguing that he prioritized advocating for a criminal—specifically, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a deported member of the MS-13 gang—over supporting families like hers who have suffered devastating losses due to illegal immigration. “It just shows his character,” Morin stated during an appearance on “The Ingraham Angle,” emphasizing the importance of actions alongside words. She expressed frustration at having received no communication from the Maryland senator despite the horrific circumstances surrounding Rachel’s death, a loss that occurred over a year prior.
Morin voiced her desire for a simple gesture of acknowledgement: “I would be gracious and take the call,” she told Raymond Arroyo on Fox News. “I don’t know that it would make a difference,” but added that a sincere effort from Van Hollen would demonstrate genuine empathy, preventing what she perceived as a calculated political maneuver.
Senator Van Hollen issued a statement following the conviction of Garcia, acknowledging the outcome while reaffirming his commitment to immigration reform. He stated: “While the conviction of Rachel Morin’s killer will not return Rachel to her family where she rightfully belongs, this verdict brings a measure of justice that they so deserve. I’m grateful to the law enforcement officers who brought her killer into custody and for our legal process for delivering this justice.” His statement focused on broader immigration reform goals – including border security and supporting immigrant communities – rather than addressing the specific concerns raised by Morin.
The Senator’s trip centered around a meeting with Garcia, facilitated after a request granted on Thursday. Van Hollen shared his experience via X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I said my main goal of this trip was to meet with Kilmar,” and that he had contacted Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, to convey his sentiments. He promised a full update upon his return.
The case surrounding Rachel Morin has been further complicated by revelations regarding Garcia’s past. He was deported to El Salvador’s “Terrorism Confinement Center” (CECOT) in March following an administrative error—although some former officials contend his deportation was justified, citing his connection to the notorious MS-13 gang.
Garcia faces additional legal challenges, with federal courts and the Supreme Court repeatedly ordering the Trump administration to facilitate his release for proper deportation proceedings. Newly released documents unveiled domestic violence allegations against Garcia. His wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, addressed these claims in a statement: “After surviving domestic violence in a previous relationship, I acted out of caution following a disagreement with Kilmar by seeking a civil protective order, in case things escalated. Things did not escalate, and I decided not to follow through with the civil court process. We were able to work through the situation privately as a family, including by going to counseling.”
Morin continued her criticism of Van Hollen’s actions, highlighting his use of taxpayer money for what she viewed as an endorsement of a criminal. “A criminal, as in he’s here illegally, so he’s already broken federal law about being in the country illegally,” she emphasized.
Despite repeated requests from Fox News Digital, Van Hollen’s office did not respond to inquiries regarding his visit or its funding. The lack of a response further fueled criticism and raised questions about transparency.
Greg Wehner, Alexa Moutevelis, and Alexander Hall contributed to this report.
